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Background: Tree of Life Groups (a narrative therapy technique) have been used successfully in a number of paediatric populations. The group intervention aims to give children a space to express their difficulties whilst also holding in mind their strengths and hopes, thereby creating a preferred identity incorporating their physical health condition. No studies were identified which described this approach in a paediatric epilepsy population or involving siblings, families and the multidisciplinary team. Methods: The current paper describes a pilot intervention to facilitate a one-day psychoeducational Tree of Life group for children with epilepsy, their siblings and parents. Separate parent and sibling groups were facilitated concurrently. The groups were co-facilitated by Paediatric Psychology and Paediatric Epilepsy team members. Quantitative feedback was completed by the patient group. Patients, siblings, and parents provided qualitative feedback. Results: A total of 6 patients, 14 siblings and 15 parents attended the group. Quantitative feedback indicated some improvement in patients' confidence and knowledge of managing epilepsy, as well as some improvements in psychological adjustment and thoughts about epilepsy. 87.5% of patients and siblings detailed that they would recommend the group to others. Qualitative feedback from patients, siblings and parents indicated the helpfulness of relating to others and safely expressing difficulties. Conclusions: The results indicated that this pilot group intervention was well received by children with epilepsy and their families. Future studies incorporating a larger sample are warranted to explore this further. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In September 2023, 58 psychological professionals from across the UK and Republic of Ireland convened for an 'Unconference' event in Birmingham to strengthen their developing community of practice in paediatric and neonatal critical care settings. This article describes the origins, purpose, format, content and evaluation of the Unconference, providing a map for groups to follow when organising such events in the future including helpful routes to take and pitfalls to avoid. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in childhood impacts not only the child but the entire family. The paediatric psychology team at Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust was keen to work with the wider paediatric diabetes teams and expert-by-experience parents to facilitate an online group for parents of newly diagnosed children, in the context of COVID-19 restrictions. This article provides a commentary review of the transition to virtual delivery. The group involved speaking about the impact of diagnosis, exploring psychological and adjustment issues that children may face, and providing strategies to help with these. The group ended with a question-and-answer session with an expert parent. The co-facilitation of the group with an expert parent was a crucial part of the group format, and the perspective of this parent is included in the article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article reflects on participation in a partnership project between Botswana and the United Kingdom to improve the experiences of children and young people with diabetes. It focuses on the perspective of clinical psychologists partaking in the project. The project included joining up with youth leaders who were involved in providing emotional support for young people with diabetes in Botswana, as well as providing teaching to a range of healthcare professionals from across Botswana. Feedback on the teaching is described, as well as our reflections on the experience and hopes for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study investigated levels of posttraumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) in children with cancer and their siblings from a British sample. It also examined aspects of the Ehlers and Clark1 model of posttraumatic stress disorder in the current population. Methods: Sixty participants (34 children with cancer and 26 siblings) aged between 8 and 18 years completed measures of PTSS, maladaptive appraisals, trauma-centered identity, perceived social support and family functioning. Results: Over a quarter of the sample scored above the clinical cutoff on the Impact of Events Scale-Revised. No differences were observed between patients and siblings with respect to levels of PTSS. Maladaptive appraisals and age were found to account for unique variance in levels of PTSS for the overall sample. Conclusions: Rates of PTSS in the sample were relatively high. Support was found for aspects of the Ehlers and Clark1 model in explaining PTSS for the current population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Children with chronic headache are a common referral to paediatric outpatients. This article suggests an approach to the assessment and management of chronic headaches, offering practical strategies for management as there is limited literature in paediatrics for this. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As survival rates continue to improve for children diagnosed with cancer, strides in achieving better psychosocial outcomes for both children with cancer and their families have been accentuated. The current study aimed to explore the experiences of siblings of children diagnosed with cancer and attempted to overcome some of the limitations described in previous research. Primarily, the study considered the theoretical framework of posttraumatic growth (PTG) in the project design and analysis. Semi-structured interviews were completed with six siblings. Thematic analysis was employed to identify themes within the data set as a whole. The data revealed that siblings experienced a range of difficult emotions throughout the cancer trajectory as well as experiencing remarkable changes in their lives. This included both positive and negative changes. These changes included increased empathy and resilience, improved family relationships, disrupted routine, increased responsibility and perceived changes in the ill child. Siblings described factors which they found helpful and unhelpful in adjusting to these changes. The report ends with a discussion of the themes and their clinical and theoretical implications. The report also highlights the research limitations and areas for future investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]