Empowering the families we support to care for their child at home, by funding and delivering nursing, respite and advocacy.

Jack and Jill is a nationwide charity that funds and provides up to 100 hours per month of in-home nursing care and respite support to families caring for children, up to the age of six, with severe learning disability often associated with complex medical needs. Typically, these children may be tube fed, oxygen dependent, may not sleep, take seizures, need a lot of medication and require around-the-clock care. Understandably, their parents can be exhausted and need a break, which is where Jack and Jill comes in. Our service operates seven days a week, with no means test, no red tape and no waiting list. Another key part of our service is end-of-life-care for all children up to the age six, irrespective of diagnosis, empowering parents to take their child home to die at this most difficult time.

In 2024, Jack and Jill supported 539 families across Ireland with in-home nursing care and respite support. Today, there are 437 families under our care, and 3,153 families have been supported by Jack and Jill since 1997.

Click the button below to find out more about our referral criteria.

Referrals to Jack and Jill typically come from maternity or paediatric hospitals, Community Disability Network Teams, or self-referrals when it’s clear a family needs support. The team consists of two Heads of Nursing, 15 experienced Liaison Nurse Managers, and administrators, who have over 100 years of combined nursing experience. They assess each child and family’s unique needs, creating tailored in-home nursing and respite care plans. The parents, recognized as the primary carers, are always at the center of the process, with local nurses and carers introduced from a pool of around 500 to provide ongoing support.

Jack and Jill’s service can continue for up to six years, offering bespoke care for each child, often requiring intensive at-home support due to complex medical needs. The charity provides funding to cover costs, allowing parents to take much-needed breaks and recharge. Families often refer to the service as a ‘lifeline’ or ‘gift of time,’ as it gives parents the opportunity to rest, run errands, or spend quality time with other children while knowing their child is cared for at home.

Any Questions?

Phone: +353 45 894 538 or Email: [email protected]