Caring for children with complex needs: staff education and training.

Children who live with medical conditions that were previously considered incompatible with long term survival are often highly dependent on interventions and equipment which would traditionally have required hospitalization. However, it is generally accepted that their social, psychological, emotional and developmental needs are best met at home. One of the many factors that can impede these children from being discharged from hospital is the lack of availability of staff who can provide care and support for them and their families. Increasing the number of staff who are able to provide such support might, therefore, assist in providing for their care needs. This article reports on a study of the perceived education and training needs of staff who care for children with complex needs and their families.