Bereavement Resources

How schools can help

It is a sobering reality that many schools will be preparing to support an increased number of bereaved children and young people in the near future. As a result, staff members may be feeling anxious about how they can support families who have experienced grief or loss.

Showing that you care about what has happened and how the family has been affected, as well as listening to the child's needs are some of the most helpful things that a school can do.

We have prepared a Schools’ Information Pack as a guide for teachers, teaching assistants, learning support assistants, headteachers, education welfare officers and other adults working in schools. It aims to provide you with support and information when a death occurs within the school community.

This document has been written with the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic in mind but is a relevant resource for use in the case of bereavement generally.

Schools' Bereavement Pack

Please download a copy of our Schools' Bereavement Information Pack here.

If you would like to talk to us about any issues concerning bereavement at this time, please do not hesitate to contact us – we are here to help:

Email our Head of School Services Catherine Munns or Louise Picton our Head of Training and Clinical Supervision.

How parents can help

BBC Newsround has prepared a resource which you can watch alongside your child dealing with the topic of grief and loss.

It gives some practical advice about how to help your child process their feelings and has a very clear message - every feeling is valid and has its own place.

Encourage your child to share how they are feeling with you. Click here to watch.

You can have lots of different emotions, such as feeling sad, confused, worried, angry, lonely or numb. This is normal and it's called grief.
Clare Bullen, Child Bereavement UK