A comparative study of the child bereavement response and needs of schools in North Suffolk and Hull, Yorkshire

Abstract:

This study compared the perceptions of bereavement in North Suffolk and Hull schools. Hull is a mature area in terms of training and support, North Suffolk is a developing area. The majority of schools in both areas rated bereavement as a high priority. Hull schools had more trained staff and were more self-sufficient after bereavement, having clearer referral routes and more policies in place. Training needs were identified in both areas, although the ‘training gap’ was less in Hull schools. The areas had different approaches to pupil bereavement; North Suffolk schools had access to a ‘bereavement box’. Schools in Hull had access to the Lost for Words training project that was developed in the city with Dove House the local hospice. Recommendations are made for local authorities and schools.

Keywords:

• loss
• school
• bereavement
• teachers
• children

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all school staff who participated and completed the questionnaires, as well as Suffolk County Council for allowing the research to be conducted, and the Dove House Hospice in Hull for their invaluable support. ▪

Resources

• ▪ ‘Iceberg’ was a doctoral study at the University of York relating to children's experiences of parental bereavement. The findings are summarised in John Holland's book Understanding children's experiences of parental bereavement (Holland, 2001).

• ▪ ‘Lost for Words’ is a generic loss awareness training programme and ‘Chaos to Calm’ is a programme aimed at helping schools to develop their responses. Contact John Holland for details: www.john-holland-ep.co.uk

• ▪ John Holland's book Responding to loss and bereavement in schools will be published shortly by Jessica Kingsley

• ▪ The following national organisations can offer support to schools in terms of providing information, resources and ideas to help teachers support their pupils.

  • – Child Bereavement UK www.childbereavementuk.org

  • – Cruse Bereavement Care www.cruse.org.uk/schools

  • – Childhood Bereavement Network www.

  • – childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk

  • – Winston's Wish www.winstonswish.org.uk

• ▪ Locally schools may be able to obtain support and advice from nearby agencies, such as their Educational Psychology Service and other services provided by their local authority.

Additional information

John Holland DPhil AFBPS ChEDPsy

Susan Wilkinson PhD QTS DChEdPsy