ICPCN is the global umbrella organisation for children’s palliative care. Our mission is to achieve the best quality of life and care for children and young people with life-threatening or life-limiting conditions, their families and carers worldwide, by raising awareness of children’s palliative care among the public, health professionals and policy makers; advocating to governments and international organisations for the global development of children’s palliative care services; expanding the evidence-base for children’s palliative care; and sharing expertise, skills and knowledge with our global network of members.

ICPCN is the only global organisation working to improve access to palliative care to the 21 million children worldwide who need it. ICPCN is recognised globally as the leader for CPC and has a globally renowned expert leadership, a wealth of educational resources and a network of members in over 125 countries. Through this network, ICPCN are uniquely placed to advise, educate and support at a national and regional level on best practice in CPC. As a central repository for information relating to CPC and with a global perspective of what is happening in the field ICPCN are in an ideal position to strategically advocate for the development and improvement of services, the creation of palliative care policies that include children and their families and the implementation of these policies, thus increasing access to CPC.

ICPCN is committed to the development of CPC globally. The following values underpin all that we do: passion; empathy and respect for all; empowerment; leadership; innovation; professionalism; integrity; accountability; diversity; evidence-based care and support; collaboration; teamwork; and quality.

ICPCN believes that:

• All children and young people and their families have the right of access to PC;
• PC should begin at diagnosis and continues into bereavement and can be provided wherever the child is;
• That the child and their family are at the centre of the care that we provide;
• The family are the primary caregivers and need to be empowered;
• That collaboration is key to the ongoing development of CPC globally, and children and parents have an essential role in this;
• That CPC is about living life to the full.

ICPCN's areas of strategic focus are:

• Communication
• Advocacy
• Research
• Education
• Strategic development

We use the acronym ICPCN “CARES” to share this message.