- Hospice service
Little Harbour
Assessment report published 13 April 2026
Contents
Ratings
Our view of the service
Little Harbour is a hospice service providing care for babies, children and young people aged 0 to 18 years who have life‑limiting conditions. The service also offers support to their families. They provide short break planned ‘respite’ care, ‘step down’ stays from hospital to provide symptom management, sibling support, unplanned ‘respite’ care, end of life care and support for bereaved families. Accommodation is also available for the children’s parents and families. Children can access hydrotherapy, as well as play areas, activity spaces and multisensory rooms.
The service was previously inspected in December 2016 and rated as good.
We carried out an announced comprehensive inspection on 12 February 2026. We rated the service as good.
The service had an open and transparent culture that placed children, young people and their families at the centre of their care. Staff were committed to providing safe, compassionate and holistic care and spoke positively about working for the service. They were supported by visible, approachable leaders who encouraged innovation and improvement. The service worked effectively with partner organisations to ensure care was well coordinated and seamless for children and their families.
People's experience of this service
People told us that staff consistently placed the needs of the child or young person at the centre of care. They described staff as kind, compassionate and caring. The service actively sought regular feedback, which was consistently positive. Families valued that care was delivered to the whole family, not just the child or young person.