The loss of a child is one of the most difficult things that can happen.
There is no right or wrong way to feel if you are a parent or family member who has experienced this loss. People grieve in different ways and at different rates. In some cases, you might find that it is difficult to support one another.
It can also be difficult to know how to talk to children about the death of a sibling, for fear of upsetting them further. Yet, avoiding talking can leave children with further fears and anxieties.
Being honest and including children as much as possible is often helpful. For example, children may want the opportunity to say goodbye to their sibling or to be involved in funeral plans. Try to be open about your feelings with your children.
There are many organisations that can provide help and support.
Key worker
After a child's death, a health professional known to the family will be allocated as the key worker.
If there has not been much contact with the family before the child's death, a person most suitable to help the family will be allocated.
The key worker role is to answer questions about the child death review process. They can also direct the family to support resources.
The email address for the key worker network is keyworker@berkshire.nhs.uk.
Support and advice
National organisations
BLISS
Provides support for parents of babies in special or intensive care units, as well as for bereaved parents.
Phone: 0207 378 1122
Child Bereavement UK
Provides specialised support, information and training to all those affected when a baby or child dies, or when a child is bereaved.
Phone: 0800 02 888 40
Visit Child Bereavement UK
Childhood Bereavement Network
Provides information and signposting around child bereavement for parents, children and young people, families, and other caregivers.
Child Death Helpline
A free, confidential helpline for anyone affected by the death of a child. The helpline is staffed by volunteer parents who have also experienced the loss of a child.
Phone:
- from a landline: 0800 282986
- from a mobile: 0808 800 6019
Visit Child Death Helpline
Grief Encounter
Advice and support for children, young people, parents, carers and professionals. Variety of support available including support through social media.
Phone: 0808 802 0111
Visit Grief Encounter
Hope Again
Hope Again is the youth website of Cruse Bereavement Support.
It is a safe place where you can learn from other young people, how to cope with grief, and feel less alone.
Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society
The Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (Sands) provides support for bereaved parents when their baby dies at, or soon after, birth.
Phone: 0808 164 3332
The Lullaby Trust
The Lullaby Trust provides information, support, guidance and signposting for bereaved families.
They have produced a series of booklets that help explain the complex thoughts and feelings of grief, as well as the practicalities of an infant bereavement.
Phone: 0808 802 6868
Visit The Lullaby Trust
Winston’s Wish
Offers practical support and guidance to families, professionals and anyone concerned about a grieving child, as well as telephone help and advice for bereaved children and siblings.
Phone: 08088 020 021
Young Minds
Advice and support for teenagers, parents and carers.
Local organisations
Daisy’s Dream
Working across the whole of Berkshire, Daisy’s Dream supports children, young people and their families when they have been affected by the life-threatening illness or bereavement of someone close to them.
Phone: 0118 934 2604
Visit Daisy's Dream
Berkshire Youth
Berkshire Youth Hubs share resources and support young people, their families and youth workers.
Visit Berkshire Youth
Samaritans
Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you.
Phone:
- 116 123 free from any phone
- 0330 094 5717 local call charges apply
No.5
Free, confidential counselling and mental health support for young people aged 11 to 25 who live, work or study in an RG postcode area.
Visit No5
Kooth
A digital mental health and wellbeing company working to provide a welcoming space for digital mental health care to young people in Bracknell Forest, Windsor, Maidenhead and Slough, for ages 11 to 25.
Phone: 0203 984 9337
Visit Kooth
Number 22
Registered charity providing free and confidential counselling to adults and young people in Windsor, Maidenhead and Slough.
Phone: 01628 636661
Visit Number 22
Alexander Devine Hospice
Provides specialist care and support to children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions, and their families, across Berkshire and into surrounding counties.
Phone: 01628 822777
Helen and Douglas House Hospice
Helps local families cope with the challenges of looking after a terminally ill baby or child who will die prematurely.
Phone: 01865 794749
Visit Helen and Douglas House
Support for schools
A guide has been developed to assist education professionals in responding to the sudden unexpected death of a child or young person. The guide provides information for dealing with sudden or traumatic death of a child or young person.
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Schools bereavement pack
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