The three-year campaign, funded by the Diana, Princess of Wales MemorialFund, calls for more information and support for bereaved children,young people and their families. The network wants people working withchildren and young people to have the confidence and competence to giveappropriate support, so that families get the help they want, whereverthey live and however they have been bereaved.
Alison Penny, policy and communications co-ordinator at the ChildhoodBereavement Network, said: "Most of us find death an uncomfortablesubject, but for a child it can be very confusing when no one wants totalk about such a major event. We need to create an open and honestculture of support for children to enable them to manage the impact ofdeath on their lives."
In its first year the campaign will focus on education settings. Thenetwork wants schools to have a system for managing and communicatingimportant information about children's bereavements and to provideproactive, flexible support.
"Many bereaved children get excellent support in school, but othersreport bullying and isolation," said Penny. "Some want extra support,and some prefer to be treated just like everyone else. We want to helpschools respond to the diverse needs of children."
The Childhood Bereavement Network is a national, multi-professionalnetwork of organisations and individuals working with bereaved childrenand young people, such as the St Christopher's Candle Project in London(pictured).
- www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk.
