Specialist social workers
Everything changes after a cancer diagnosis. Things that used to be simple suddenly become complicated, confusing and exhausting. You have to learn a whole new vocabulary.
Young Lives vs Cancer is the only charity in the UK with specialist social workers who provide tailored support to children and young people with cancer, and their families.
From the moment of diagnosis, our specialist social workers provide information and guidance to financial support. We work in all the main children’s cancer treatment centres across the UK, working closely with doctors, nurses and other NHS professionals as an integral part of the team caring for children and young people with cancer.
We help them to navigate the emotional and practical impact of cancer. We remove barriers, solve problems and prioritise wellbeing. We take the time to understand what matters most to them. And we stop at nothing to make their voices heard and their unique needs understood, so they can get the right care and support at the right time.
Chat to our social care team today
You can now contact Young Lives vs Cancer specialist social care staff directly using Live Chat. Just click on the pink chat button at the bottom right of this page to talk to someone.
Our dedicated team will answer any queries and offer support whether it’s about money problems, benefits, emotional support or life with cancer in general.
Live Chat is available between 10am and 4pm, Monday to Friday. You can still send us a message outside of these hours and we’ll get back to you when we’re live again.
Our specialist social workers can help with:
- Helping a family come to terms with what’s happened
- Explaining what things mean in a way that’s easy to understand
- Helping families adjust to the new situation they find themselves in, and working out how it will affect day-to-day life
- Support with applying for benefits, grants and other financial support
- Talking to a child’s school and helping to arrange schoolwork during treatment
- Helping parents sort out time off work
- Support with arranging accommodation for families close to hospital
- Helping organise childcare for siblings
- Supporting brothers and sisters and other family members
- Connecting with organisations that can give additional support.
How this can help you
A Young Lives vs Cancer Specialist Social Worker will get in touch in the first couple of weeks after you or your child has been diagnosed. If you want, you’ll see them regularly from then on. They’ll listen to you and help you deal with what many families refer to as the ‘new normal’.
They’ll steer you through the benefit process for Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment and getting a blue badge, and help you sort out stuff like childcare, speaking to your employer and a school, college, university or other education setting. . They’ll provide you with the information you need to understand – and explain to others – what’s happening.
Your specialist social worker will talk with you about how they can help you and record what you agree in a care plan. They’ll revisit the care plan with you on a regular basis as your family’s needs change throughout you or your child’s treatment.
You don’t have to have a specialist social worker, but if you decide not to, then change your mind, you can ask to see one at any point during you or your child’s treatment.
While you or your child is on treatment your social worker will help you get through what’s happening, practically and emotionally.
They can help you organise things like accommodation, speaking with a school, college or university so they stay connected, liaising with your employer, getting you help with travel costs and other financial assistance, and connecting you with local services to make your life that little bit easier.
They’ll be there when you want to talk about what’s going on, helping you and your family cope with changes in your life.
Reaching the end of treatment can bring mixed emotions. You’re probably delighted that you or your child are better, but worried about losing the support of doctors, nurses and key people at the hospital. You’re not sure how your child will cope back home, have financial concerns, and are terrified of relapse.
Your Young Lives vs Cancer Specialist Social Worker understands these feelings and will help you cope with these changes. As you or your child comes towards the end of treatment, they’ll work with you to determine what support you’ll need. They’ll put you in touch with local services that can help with things like money and housing. They can also connect you with some of our Facebook groups, see some of the groups you could join and our participation team if you want to work with us to improve things for other families with a child with cancer.
And they’ll let you know what to do if you’re worried about your child’s health in the future. They’ll give you the support you and your family need to move forward.
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