The death of someone close can be devastating for anyone, but children and young people may find it particularly difficult to understand and cope with. Often children and young people need extra support after a bereavement. Parents and professionals can also benefit from advice and guidance on how to best to help. If you are working with a child or young person experiencing grief, the Child Bereavement Service at St John’s Hospice may be able to help.
The Child Bereavement Service is a free service provided by a specialist social work team with a long track record of providing practical and emotional support to individuals and families before and after a bereavement. We offer:
- An assessment of the child or young persons, allowing an individually tailored service, which meets the needs of the child or young person and their family and carers
- Sessions for children or young people, either individually or in groups. We are able to see children and young people in their homes, at their school or in the family room at the hospice (in whichever venue is best)
- A young people's bereavement group, which meets once a month on Tuesday evenings.
- Support to the families and carers of bereaved children
- Advice and guidance for those working with bereaved children, for example teachers and health care professionals
- Training on bereavement and loss where requested for organisations and professionals working with children