Background Children’s hospices have been central to providing care for children with complex and palliative care needs in the UK since the first children’s hospice opened in Oxford in 1982. Since then, children’s hospices have opened countrywide to meet the needs of the increasing number of children requiring such care (Fraser, et al. ‘Make every child count’: estimating current and future prevalence of children and young people with life-limiting conditions in the United Kingdom: final report. 2020). This increase is especially noted in the neonatal/under 1 year group. Shooting Star Children’s Hospices is local to Kingston University, providing care/services for over 700 children/families and consists of two in-house facilities (one at Hampton and one at Guildford) and a community service. Kingston University and Shooting Star Children’s Hospices have a long collaborative working relationship.

The Hospice E-Learning Placement (HELP) Peer Enhanced e-Placement (PEEP) project would involve the collaborative design and delivery of a virtual hospice e-learning placement experience to children’s nursing students and learning disability students.

Aim A 37.5 hour online/blended virtual placement experience for all children’s nursing students and learning disabilities. Year 2 students from Kingston University.

Throughout the week students were taken through a pathway from diagnosis to referral to dying. The placement included one face-to-face day at Shooting Star Children’s Hospices, where a simulation around death and dying and communication was experienced. This approach could be adapted for other specialties but we envisage it could become mainstay within the new curriculum based on the NMC standards (Nursing & Midwifery Council. The code: professional standards of practice and behaviour for nurses, midwives and nursing associates.) to commence at Kingston University in September 2024.

Method A one-week blended virtual children’s hospice practice placement using the PEEP model (Jackson, Roberts, Elliott. Evidence-based handbook to practice placements for allied health professionals. Health Education England). Survey of students.

Results 25 students attended. Feedback outstanding. Learning objectives achieved. Runner-up for student Nursing Times award. Students were inspired and applied to work with Shooting Star Children’s Hospices.

Conclusion Continued partnership working with Shooting Star Children’s Hospices and continue to provide PEEP placements.