Aids and equipment

You may need specialist aids and equipment to care for your child. You and your child may be assessed by an Occupational Therapist from your primary care trust or children’s team who can inform you about the options and services open to you. Any aids and equipment should be included in your Child and Family Care Plan.

If needing specialist continence aids for example nappies, talk to the health visitor or children’s nursing team for advice. Education and Resources for Improving Childhood Incontinence (ERIC) Helpline service provides support for children, parents and professionals who deal with childhood continence including problems such as: potty training, bedwetting, daytime wetting, constipation and soiling. 

Helpline: 0845 370 8008 on a Monday and Wednesday 9.30am to 4.30pm.
Email: helpline@eric.org.uk

There may also be issues relating to the layout of your house and whether your housing meets your child’s needs. There may not be enough room to meet their care needs or to enable you to care safely. You may need a specifically adapted room or bathroom. Funding may be available from your local authority or you may need to have a housing assessment to see if your current housing will meet your family’s needs.

For more general information about types of aids and equipment available to parents caring for a child with an illness/disabilities go to the Disabled Living Foundation website.

Newlife is a charity for disabled children helps disabled and terminally ill children in the UK by providing equipment to help individual children as well providing nurse led information service and funding research. They have a special Just Can’t Wait equipment service for families of terminally ill children.

Helpline: 0800 902 0095

Whizz Kids provides disabled children the vital equipment, support and life skills they need to reach their full potential.