Bereavement support provision in primary schools: an exploratory study |
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Authors: | Ailbhe Costelloe Joseph Mintz Frances Lee |
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Institution: | 1. Psychology and Development, Institute of Education University College London , London, UK ailbhecostelloe@gmail.com;3. Psychology and Development, Institute of Education University College London , London, UK |
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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. |
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Keywords: | Child bereavement grief loss primary school emotional well-being |
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