'Lost for Words' & 'Responding to Loss & Bereavement in Schools'

‘Two thirds of schools felt that more training was needed in the area of loss and bereavement; one third of schools had a policy or procedure in place to address loss and bereavement’ (recent survey)

‘Lost for Words’ is an awareness raising training course that provides those who work with children an insight into the experiences of children who have suffered a loss, such as through bereavement. Topics addressed include the loss process, theories of loss, the effects of loss and how to help and support children and young people.

The project was partially based on ‘Project Iceberg’ and other research in schools by John and colleagues who initially identified a ‘training gap’; that schools rated the areas of bereavement and loss highly but often felt that they lacked the skills to respond to children and young people.

The research, with ‘Iceberg’, underpins the project which is both presented and tracked locally on a regular basis. John has presented the findings of the projects at conferences nationally and internationally and courses are delivered regularly locally.

'Responding to Loss & Bereavement in Schools' developed from Lost for Words. This takes things on to a further stage, and schools can use the material to carry out an audit of their needs and resources and address these, using the material, in terms of training and development.

This needs a whole school approach, in that all staff need to have at least a basic awareness of issues around bereavement and loss, some staff may need more training to enable them to deliver interventions and develop policies and procedures, and this is outlined in the course material.

For further details please Email: lost-for-words-uk@hotmail.co.uk