The BBC's Alison Holt on sibling bereavement

The Rainbow Trust says bereaved children sometimes feel isolated and alone. Some become withdrawn, while others suffer from behavioural problems or are constantly seeking attention.

Director Peter Kent says there is often frantic activity just before the death of the child, with hospital visits and checks. After the death, friends feel the family wants to be left alone.

Isolating

"But that is when they need more support," he said. "It can be very isolating. And the other children know that the parents are very upset, but they do not feel they can ask about it."

Rainbow Trust director Peter Kent

He adds that there are few, if any, organisations in the UK which provide practical support for the brothers and sisters of children with life-threatening illnesses.

And they have already had calls from organisations dealing with sick children.

The research, funded by the trust and East Surrey Health Authority, is likely to consist of a series of questionnaires aimed at children, their parents and teachers.

They will devise different ways of dealing with any problems identified, by working with teachers, bereavement counsellors, local authorities and other interested agencies.

The trust will then monitor whether the children feel less distressed and anxious after the two years.

Respite

The trust says most of the siblings it deals with are under five-years-old because children with life-threatening diseases tend to be in that age group.