Bereavement
There are a range of definitions for the word ‘Bereavement’ but, in essence, it refers to the experience of losing someone (or something), and describes the period of time after a loss, especially after the death of a loved one, when people grieve and mourn.
Children and young people may feel bereaved when they have lost someone they love or have general feelings around missing somebody who has died. Other young people may grieve after the death of a family pet or anything that they feel a powerful sense of love or attachment towards and is no longer present, with them or alive.
How bereavement affects children and young people
It is important to note that you may find different experiences of bereavement for children and young people depending on their age or stage of development and their individual character and preferences.
Because children and young people struggle to manage the enormity of grief all at once, their bereavement ‘period’ can appear shorter. However, this does not mean that they have dealt with the bereavement.
Mourning looks very different across a range of cultures, and it is important to try to understand this when working with children and young people who are going through this process.
Supporting Children and Young People who have been bereaved
Most children and young people will not require the support of a specialist within the field of bereavement, but all will need someone who cares about how they are feeling, By engaging with them on a daily basis and offering a predictable routine you will provide a huge amount of support.
For children with SEND, there are particular approaches and strategies that may be helpful depending on the needs of the individual child or young person.
Reviewed: July 2024
