Bereaved pupils lack school help

Seven out of 10 children who suffer a bereavement under-perform in school work compared with their previous performance, a survey suggests.

The poll of almost 100 UK schools found 57% of bereaved pupils had difficulty joining in group activities or debates.

Eight in ten of the schools surveyed did not have a written school bereavement support policy.

The survey was carried out by bereavement charity the Amy and Tom project and Co-operative Funeralcare.

The 97 schools surveyed had an average of two children bereaved each year.

Seven in 10 did not provide comprehensive advice for teachers and two-thirds did not give advice on how to work with parents or guardians.

Just over a third of the schools did not have a named member of staff acting as a bereavement support officer and a third did not have information on how to access local counselling services.

The Department for Children, Schools and Families said schools had a duty to support pupils' wellbeing.

'Extreme emotions'

The survey was carried out to launch a new book for bereaved children, entitled Someone has Died Suddenly.

The book provides information about strong feelings and how to cope with them.

It includes questions to stimulate discussion, such as "Did they feel any pain?" and "What's going to happen to their body?"

The book's author, Mary Williams, said: "A sudden death in the family is devastating for children.

"Children may feel unable to ask questions they desperately want answered, terrified of the extreme emotions they are experiencing and overwhelmingly sad.

"They may lash out, withdraw from their social group, or find they are particularly sensitive or vulnerable to bullies.

"This book aims to help these children and parents, guardians, teachers, health workers and other adult carers to explore their emotions, needs and concerns at the bleakest of times."

Lorinda Sheasby, head of marketing at Co-operative Funeralcare, said: "Every day, we meet families who are struggling to help children cope with a sudden bereavement.

"We're pleased to have funded the Amy and Tom project to carry out this illuminating survey and produce such a fantastic resource for children who are suddenly bereaved."

The Amy and Tom project is a charity which aims to help children suddenly bereaved by any cause.

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