In Scotland, Curriculum for Excellence (CfE) guidance suggests school and early years staff establish positive and supportive relationships across the school community where children and young people feel secure in their ability to discuss sensitive aspects of their lives. CfE also highlights the need for children and young people to learn skills and strategies which will support them in challenging times, particularly in relation to change and loss. In line with Inverclyde Council’s Positive Relationships Policy, the whole learning community has a shared understanding of wellbeing and promotes a climate where children and young people feel safe and secure.
What do we mean by bereavement, change and loss?
Change and loss is not unique to bereavement but can come in a variety of forms both within the school and home settings. For example, all children and young people experience changes of teachers as they make transitions through school, while at home some children and young people can experience parental separation or divorce.
Whilst bereavement and family breakdown affect some children and young people, many more experience changes that accompany loss in its widest sense. Children and young people may have to change their home, school, and lose contact with friends and other family members.
The significance of the loss to the child or young person is key to grief reactions. A child or young person’s immediate reactions to loss and the changes that follow, can impact upon their ability to cope socially, emotionally, and academically.
A large percentage of children and young people who experience loss also experience a decrease in their academic performance. The more knowledge adults have of children and young people’s developmental concepts and potential reactions to loss, the more empowered they are to better support them.
What can Inverclyde Educational Psychology Service do?
It is estimated that there are around 26,000 school-aged children in Scotland who have been bereaved of a parent or sibling at some point in their childhood. In 2022, there were 762 probable suicides in Scotland (National Records of Scotland, 2023).
Support for children and young people
Schools continue to access the Seasons for Growth education programme which aims to help children and young people (aged 6-18 years) learn more about the grief process. The programme is facilitated by trained Companions and takes place over eight sessions within a small group setting. Companions are trained and supported in their role by the Educational Psychology Service.
Supporting Professional Development/Staff training
Virtual training materials have been shared with all Heads of Establishments and we continue to support them in the implementation of these and additional resources.
Developing Guidance and Policy
Inverclyde Educational Psychology Service was instrumental in the creation and consultation of the Local Authority’s Bereavement, Change and Loss Policy which was launched towards the end of 2019 and our COVID supplementary Guidance for Bereavement, Change and Loss which was launched in June 2020.
These policies are based on a whole establishment approach and acknowledge the role everyone has in supporting children, young people and staff in time of bereavement, change and loss. Further signposting and details of online resources are included in the policies, which can be accessed below:
Inverclyde Council – Bereavement, Change and Loss Policy: Supporting our Children, Young People, Staff and the Wider School Community.
Inverclyde Council – Bereavement, Change and Loss Policy: Supporting Our Children, Young People, Staff and the Wider School Community
Inverclyde Council – Post-Covid 19 Supplement to Inverclyde’s Bereavement, Change and Loss Policy.
Inverclyde Council – Post-Covid 19 Supplement to Inverclyde’s Bereavement, Change and Loss Policy
Information for schools, education establishments and families
Information Leaflet for Parents: Supporting Bereavement in the Early Years
Additional Leaflets and Infographs have been produced and distributed to schools for their use and highlight key points and messages. Versions for school staff, parents and carers can be accessed here: @Inverclyde_EPS Twitter Content (padlet.com)
All those who access the above materials are encouraged to contact the Educational Psychology Service for additional support as required.
