Questionnaires and consultation activities with young people and staff in young offender institutions, secure training centres and secure children's homes have revealed how the secure setting brings additional challenges to young people who are bereaved.
For the first time, they may have time to dwell on painful experiences that they had previously been able to sideline or mask with drugs or alcohol. Common grief reactions such as anger and guilt can be made worse, and young people can be very anxious about showing sadness and vulnerability. One young person said: "It's harder being locked up because you don't know who to trust or to turn to." Staff themselves can feel very anxious when faced with grieving young people.
CBN found most establishments provide some sort of bereavement support, but that many wanted more specialist input. Staff training and support was felt to be a priority. In response to the findings, CBN has produced a briefing for staff and managers. This promotes a "whole system" approach to co-ordinating support for young people, using case studies throughout, including examples of good practice such as that of the Atkinson Unit in Devon. It includes checklists for action; an audit tool linked to the NCB toolkit Delivering Every Child Matters in Secure Settings and suggests resources that libraries could stock for young people and staff.
- Events to discuss bereavement support in secure settings will take place in Belfast, Cardiff, Glasgow and London. Visit www.childhood bereavementnetwork.org.uk
HOW MANY?
Studies show that around four per cent of 11- to 16-year-olds have been bereaved of a parent, compared with:
- 13 per cent of young people who are under the supervision of a youth offending team
- At least 17 per cent of persistent young offenders
For references, see Bereavement in the Secure Setting (NCB, 2008).
