Background
Children diagnosed with cancer and their siblings face profound emotional and psychosocial challenges. Redkite’s Kite for Kids Program is a structured group support program designed to enhance the psychosocial wellbeing of children impacted by paediatric cancer. Kite for Kids is delivered in a safe digital space to allow participants to connect in a fun, playful way and openly share their experiences and challenges. The program brings a psychoeducational focus, assisting children to build resilience in a safe and confidential environment facilitated by Social Workers.
Methods
Kite for Kids was initially piloted in 2022, followed by a full schedule of groups in 2023 and 2024 involving over 40 children between the ages of 6 and 12. Groups were delivered separately to children diagnosed with cancer and siblings in response to their different needs. The groups use a mixture of stories, games and activities to engage the children and facilitate skill development. Insights regarding the program’s impact have been captured through various sources, including Redkite’s National Client Satisfaction Survey (n=307) and follow-up calls with participants and their parents.
Results
Recent insights demonstrate the program is delivering positive psychosocial outcomes for both child participants and their parents, as evidenced by the 92% program satisfaction rating in Redkite’s latest client survey. The program is highly valued for giving children a voice, allowing them to verbalise their thoughts and feelings around theirs or their sibling’s cancer diagnosis, in addition to giving them practical tools and strategies in which to cope.
Conclusion and implications
Kite for Kids illustrates how group peer support interventions play a crucial role in the delivery of comprehensive paediatric cancer care. Future directions for the program include expanded evaluation through novel participatory approaches with children, and adaptions to the balance of program activities through co-design with children and parents.