If you require support with a Critical Incident
Phone 01926 742911 and a Business Support Assistant will take your details including your contact details and an outline of the incident. When the business support is unavailable please leave a message on the EPS answer-machine detailing:
- Your name, school and contact number; and
- Please making clear that you are seeking support with a critical incident.
You will receive telephone contact from an Educational Psychologist, where possible on the same day, who will discuss the situation with you, identify what steps have been taken so far and agree a course of action.
Educational Psychology Service support is likely to include:
- A timetable of EP guidance, advice & support through telephone and/or e-mail
- Sharing of sample letters and scripts for communicating with children, staff and parents
- Sharing of information to circulate to staff, parents and carers to support them in talking about loss and bereavement
- Sharing of guidance leaflets and resources
- Practical issues such as memorials / books of condolences.
In time, most children and adults will come to terms with what has happened and recover without the need for professional counselling. We do not advise immediate counselling to bereaved families from external agencies – grief is a normal process and those who are grieving may need to be reassured that whatever emotions they are feeling, it is a perfectly normal reaction to the situation.
If, after a period of time, if there are members of the school community who are showing signs of continued distress the EP will discuss this and signpost to further support.
Websites providing support for loss and bereavement
- Grief Encount - Support for bereaved children and their families
- Child Bereavement UK - Supports families and educates professionals when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement
- Child Bereavevement UK: Elephant's Tea Party - Resources to equip pupils with coping skills for bereavement, now and in later life
- Winston’s Wish - Information, advice and guidance for supporting bereaved children and young people
- CRUSE - Support, advice and information to children, young people and adults when someone dies.
- CRUSE: Support students - Learn more about supporting bereaved students at school
- Samaritans
- Papyrus
- Warwickshire County Council - Counselling and bereavement services