Bereavement support provision in primary schools: an exploratory study. Issue 3 (2nd July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Costelloe, Ailbhe; Mintz, Joseph; Lee, Frances
• Is Part Of: Educational psychology in practice. Volume 36:Issue 3(2020)
• Page Start: 281
• Page End: 296
• Publication Date: 2020-07-02
• Subjects: Child bereavement -- grief -- loss -- primary school -- emotional well-being; Educational psychology -- Periodicals; 370.1505
• DOI: 10.1080/02667363.2020.1767040
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0266-7363

Abstract

ABSTRACT: In the UK, approximately 1 in 29 children have experienced the death of a parent or sibling. It is argued that schools are suitably positioned to provide support to bereaved children. However, there is a gap in research exploring bereavement support provision (BSP) in primary schools. This paper presents the qualitative phase of a mixed-methods study which aimed to gain insight into BSP in primary schools in one UK Local Authority. After completing an online questionnaire, 16 school staff took part in semi-structured interviews. The findings of this study highlighted that BSP is characterised by emotional support and other indirect responses. A key finding is that providing emotional support to a bereaved child has a negative impact on the emotional well-being of staff. This study discusses how educational psychologists (EPs) are well placed to provide whole school and targeted bereavement support to children and school staff.