The unit provides high dependency care for babies who weigh less than 1kg (2lb 3oz) and who need help with their breathing by continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) or intravenous feeding, but who do not fulfil any of the requirements for Intensive Care.
They also provide special care for babies who may need to have their breathing and heart rate monitored. If they need help feeding they may be fed through a tube, or be supplied with extra oxygen or treated with ultra violet light for jaundice. Special care babies also include babies who are convalescing from more specialist treatment before they are able to be discharged, and while feeding in particular is established.
The SCBU initiates mechanical ventilation and stabilisation.

The staff helped me and my girls so much in the nearly 6 months that Phoebe and Poppy were there. The staff told me that they rely heavily on donations of money and clothes from the parents and others to help them buy clothes, nappies, equipment as the money they get from their funding is not enough to help as many babies as they would like to as they dont have the resources for it or the beds.