Marie Curie, a prominent charity, is set to present a series of recommendations today aimed at assisting teachers in supporting bereaved children. The charity’s report focuses on establishing a culture and practice of grief education and bereavement support in educational settings in Northern Ireland. Research indicates that most young people will experience a loss before they finish school, highlighting the need for teachers to have better guidance on how to handle and assist grieving students.
The report, which consolidates the outcomes of a three-year Schools Bereavement Programme, will be launched at an event at Belfast’s Riddel Hall. Notable experts, including Dr. Patricia Donnelly OBE, Chair of the Northern Ireland Bereavement Network, Mental Health Champion Professor Siobhán O’Neill, and representatives from the Department of Education, as well as teachers and young individuals, are expected to attend the event.
Joan McEwan, Associate Director of Policy and Public Affairs at Marie Curie, emphasized the importance of the report in providing insights from children, parents, carers, and teachers. The launch of the report aims to present the findings and evidence gathered from schools, as well as to discuss recommendations for enhancing grief education and bereavement support in educational institutions.
The report highlights that each child’s experience of bereavement is unique and should be respected, with tailored support offered based on individual needs. Teachers are seeking more information and guidance to feel more competent in supporting grieving students. Parents and carers are generally supportive of educational settings providing more support, emphasizing the necessity of teacher training. Moreover, children and young people desire to be informed and involved in developing bereavement resources and support in schools.
A key figure at the report launch is 15-year-old Emma Papaconstantinou, who lost her brother to leukemia at a young age. She stresses the importance of educating young individuals about grief and providing them with support in educational settings. Emma believes that normalizing discussions about grief and death can help alleviate fears and anxieties associated with loss.
The report’s five main recommendations aim to transform every school into a compassionate community that supports children and young people in coping with bereavement. These recommendations include strengthening policy guidance on grief education, mandating every school to have a bereavement policy, providing bereavement training for all teaching staff, integrating discussions on bereavement in the curriculum, and fostering collaboration between the health and education sectors to better support bereaved young individuals.
Education Minister Paul Givan acknowledges the significance of the report in highlighting the importance of supporting children and young people through grief education and bereavement support in schools. He emphasizes the role of school leaders in implementing policies and programs that promote emotional health and well-being among students.
In conclusion, the Marie Curie report underscores the critical need for enhancing support for bereaved children in educational settings and provides a roadmap for creating a more compassionate and understanding environment for young individuals experiencing grief. By implementing the recommendations outlined in the report, schools can better equip teachers to support students during challenging times of loss.
