Parents and Carers

Knowing your child needs a test, treatment, examination or appointment can be worrying. You want them to have a good experience and be treated with kindness and get the best care.

What is iSupport?

iSupport is an international project made to protect children's rights whenever they need healthcare. It aims to make sure every child feels safe, comfortable, and always knows what is happening when they have a test, treatment, examination or appointment.

🎧Check out this short video to see how iSupport is working to make healthcare better for your child.

How was iSupport started?

iSupport started when a young person named Katie challenged us to find a better, more compassionate way to manage tests, treatments, examinations or appointments for children. We spent years working with teams all over the world to develop iSupport. Most importantly, we listened to what parents and children thought mattered. 

“iSupport is very close to my heart and really important to me. I experienced many badly handled procedures as a child and now as an adult the trauma still affects me. I want to prevent other children from experiencing what I did and having difficulties with future procedures. The psychological wellbeing of a child needs to be protected”.

Katie, aged 20 years UK, multiple procedures experienced throughout childhood

How can iSupport help?

While we cannot promise that every member of staff will always get it right, iSupport is designed to help you and your child. It gives you the information you need to know what good care looks like and, if needed, to speak up for your child, so both of you feel safe and respected every step of the way. For example, if your child is upset having a test or treatment it might help you feel confident enough to ask questions like:

"Is there a different way we can do this?"

By working together, you can help health professionals understand how to make your child feel more comfortable, less worried, and genuinely listened to.

Children may not remember every clinical detail of their care, but they will always remember how they felt. Together, we can ensure those experiences do not leave lasting trauma.

How can iSupport support you and your child?

We are working hard to help health professionals remember to speak directly to you and your child, explain things clearly, and support you every step of the way.

We have made some resources that you can use with your child to help them share their ideas and be involved the next time you visit a health professional. Click below to check them out!

  • A Prep Sheet: A quick sheet you can fill out with your child to let health professionals know exactly what helps them feel safe, happy, and comfortable.

  • Some activities which can help you keep your child busy and calm while they are waiting for an appointment or having a test or treatment.

Want to know more?