This guide is free to download and offers schools and educational settings guidance, support and information when a death occurs in the school community, when a school is facing an expected death or when a pupil is facing bereavement.

Although the guide is written for schools, it also contains information and guidance relevant for Early Years settings.

FULL DOWNLOAD Managing bereavement: A guide for schools

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If you would prefer to only print relevant sections, follow the download links below.

Bereavement support and information for schools:

Cover, index and welcome

1) How schools can support a bereaved pupil

2) Children’s understanding of death

3) Breaking sad news - a death in the school community

4) Special assemblies - saying goodbye

5) Guidance for parents and carers

6) The role of the school

7) Supporting a bereaved pupil

8) Cultures and beliefs

9) Bereavement support groups

10) Looking after yourself (staff)

11) Practical ideas

Specific areas of support:

i) Pupils with Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND)

ii) Pre-bereavement when a family member is not expected to live

iii) Pupils with a life-limiting illness

iv) Suicide

v) Forces families

vi) Social media and young people’s views

vii) Supporting children and young people bereaved by murder or manslaughter

viii) Responding to frightening events

Books and resources:

A) Books and resources_Early years

B) Books and resources_Primary

C) Books and resources_Secondary

D) Books and resources_Special Educational Needs & Disabilities (SEND)

E) Books and resources for staff

F) Books and resources for parents and carers

G) Books and resources_Suicide

H) Books and resources_Murder and manslaughter

I) Helpful organisations

Bereavement policy or charter:

Appendix i) Developing a school bereavement policy or charter

Appendix ii) Template letter to parents and carers

Appendix iii) Template letter to parents and staff_death of a pupil

Appendix iv) Template letter to parents and carers_death of a member of staff