Do your staffing team need support with grief? Are you struggling with a recent bereavement or other loss? Do you have children dealing with loss or the death of a loved one? We create bespoke twilight courses for your staffing teams online or in person.
Our “Lessons in Loss” training is designed to provide valuable insights and practical tools to navigate the complex emotions of grief.
A full day of training consists of any FIVE of the following tasks and activities. You can just pick which ones you need. There is no hierarchy to the tasks and activities, they are numbered for your convenience.
1. An intrinsic look at types of loss
This activity involves exploring the various ways loss can be experienced, such as bereavement, divorce, or pet loss. It highlights how loss isn’t always tied to death but can also includes significant life changes, such as moving homes or losing friendships. This understanding helps participants see the broader impact of grief.
2. How is our behaviour related to grief?
This activity examines how grief influences behaviour in both children and adults. It might include recognising signs like withdrawal, aggression, or changes in routine and how these behaviours can often be misinterpreted without considering grief as a root cause.
3. What are the unhelpful messages we hear from society?
This discussion focuses on societal clichés like “they’ve gone over the rainbow bridge” or “at least they are out of pain now,” which can invalidate the grieving process. Participants learn how such messages might hinder emotional expression and develop strategies to foster more supportive communication.
4. How does grief show up?
This section covers the varied ways grief manifests emotionally, physically, and behaviourally. It might include discussions on sadness, anger, fatigue, or even physical symptoms like headaches, helping participants identify grief’s presence in themselves and others.
An introduction to grief and loss and its impact on children and staff
This segment provides a foundational understanding of grief, including how it affects children and staff differently. It sets the stage for deeper discussions by outlining grief’s pervasive impact on emotional and professional life within a school setting.
5. Understanding different types of grief.
This activity expands on the concept of grief by categorising its types, including grief related to illness, sudden loss, or prolonged absence. Participants learn to distinguish between these experiences to better support those affected.
6. Creating a school-wide plan for responding to grief
This segment guides participants in developing a cohesive strategy to address grief at a school-wide level. It includes planning for emergencies, fostering a supportive culture, and ensuring all staff feel prepared to respond effectively.
7. Scenarios
This activity provides hands-on learning through role-playing and case studies. Participants practise responding to children’s questions or emotional reactions, gaining confidence in navigating sensitive conversations.
8. An introduction to grief and loss and its impact on children and staff
This segment provides a foundational understanding of grief, including how it affects children and staff differently. It sets the stage for deeper discussions by outlining grief’s pervasive impact on emotional and professional life within a school setting.
9. Specific support strategies for children in the classroom, including the use of journals.
This section offers actionable methods to help grieving children in a classroom setting. Journals are highlighted as tools for emotional expression, enabling children to articulate their feelings in a safe and structured way. Staff are given the opportunity to look through the journals and consider which children would benefit from their use. Currently we have journals covering topics such as when parents separate, when a loved one dies by suicide, when a pet dies, when a loved one is seriously or terminally ill and when a grandparent dies.
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