Bereavement & Loss

This could include:

• Bereavement
• Separation or split of family (including parent in prison)
• Life-limiting illnesses or conditions (own or family member)
• New to country
• Asylum seeker/refugee

Examples of Provision and Strategies

• In the early stages of grief, learners often benefit most from support provided by trusted and familiar individuals. Helpful strategies include using an emotion diary, scheduling regular check-ins, and applying tools like the Zones of Regulation to help them express and manage their feelings.
• Maintain close communication with the learner’s family to build a shared understanding of how best to support them. This might involve agreeing on consistent language or “scripts,” being mindful of significant dates (e.g., anniversaries), and respecting cultural or religious practices.
• Be prepared to adjust expectations. Grief can affect a learner’s mood and performance, and it’s normal for them to have both good and difficult days over an extended period.
• Bereavement is not a one-time event. As learners grow and encounter new life stages—such as adolescence—they may revisit and reprocess their grief. Continued awareness and support are important.
• Learners who have experienced a more complex, traumatic, or severe loss may require more specialized support. This could include personalized therapeutic interventions, potentially provided through school clusters.