Dorset Safeguarding Children Partnership

BCP Safeguarding Children Partnership content has now moved to https://www.bcpsafeguardingchildren.co.uk

Working With Parents and Carers Who Have Experienced Bereavement

Below is a list of services that provide specific bereavement support for adults that you can signpost to parents/carers to who you may be working with that have experienced a loss. There are also bespoke services available, as shown below, depending on the circumstances around the bereavement. If a child or young person who you are working with has experienced bereavement, you can signpost them to the services listed on this page. Mosaic have developed a leaflet for parents/carers that you can provide them for further information on the service they provide to children and young people who have experienced loss.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT ORGANISATIONS (FOR ADULTS)

FOR BEREAVEMENT BY SUICIDE:

FOR BEREAVEMENT BY DRUGS OR ALCOHOL:

FOR BEREAVEMENT AFTER LOSS OF A CHILD:

  • Child Bereavement UK – offers support if you are bereaved after losing a child. Or if you’re a child or young person who is grieving after losing someone.
  • Child Death Helpline – helpline for all those affected by the death of a child. 
  • The Compassionate Friends – find support for bereaved parents and their families, including a helpline.
  • Sands – information and support for anybody affected by pregnancy loss or the death of a baby. Support includes a helpline and live support chat.

FOR BEREAVEMENT AFTER LOSS OF A SIBLING:

OTHER BEREAVEMENTS OF A SPECIFIC NATURE:

  • Dying Matters – resources to help people talk more openly about dying, death and bereavement, and to make plans for the end of life.
  • The Loss Foundation – offers support to people who have lost someone to cancer. Includes free support groups, walking events, workshops and a peer connection service.
  • WAY (Widowed and Young) – advice for people who have lost a partner before their 51st birthday.

If you are working with a parent/carer who requires more general mental health support, the following services can offer this support:

  • Samaritans – if you’re struggling you can call Samaritans any time on 116 123 to talk about anything. You can also email them at jo@samaritans.org 
  • Steps 2 Wellbeing – a free, NHS Talking Therapies service for adults over 18 in Dorset and Southampton
  • Hub of Hope – database of mental health services in the UK, including community, charity, private and NHS mental health support.
  • The Koru Project – trauma-informed therapeutic support for children and families