POLICY FOR BEREAVEMENT AND LOSS

Transcription

1 POLICY FOR BEREAVEMENT AND LOSS Process : Policy / Policy Updates Presented by: Policy / Policy Updates Presented to: Approved/Ratified: Assistant Principal & Academy Chaplain Behaviour, Safety & Ethos Portfolio Team Academy Board Presented 11 th February 2015 Agreed 11 th February 2015 Ratified 4 th March 2015 Policy reviewed: February 2015 Review date: February 2016

2 POLICY FOR BEREAVEMENT AND LOSS Introduction A Child can live through anything so long as he or she is told the truth And is allowed to share the natural feelings people have when they are suffering. Eda Le Shan, the compassionate Friends Newsletter We believe that bereavement and loss are an inevitable part of living and growing. Therefore we must support students through the reality of bereavement and loss so that they can develop their own appropriate range of emotional, spiritual and intellectual responses to deal with these experiences. The ethos of the National Academy is based on openness and mutual support, thereby a framework in which these experiences can be realised in an enriching manner. The academy recognises there are a range of cultural and religious customs and practices around death and loss and each of these will be valued and responded to appropriately. This policy is consistent with the National Academy s Christian foundation and ethos. Scope The experience of loss and bereavement is complex, wide-reaching and ongoing within any gathered community such as a school. Whilst a sudden and traumatic death presents a particular challenge for a school, it is important to remember that loss and bereavement may arise through any significant change of circumstances such as: the death of a family pet injury or long term ill-health a result of parental separation or the arrival of a new step-parent when moving house or school the end of a special friendship Further, adults and young people experience and come to terms with loss and bereavement in very different ways and over different time periods. Aims At the National Church of England Academy our aim is to support all those affected by loss and bereavement in a supportive and caring environment in which everyone can respond appropriately to individual circumstances. This policy outlines practical measures to be taken when people are in shock or upset, especially with sudden or multiple deaths or traumatic circumstances. This policy is for all staff, students, parents/carers, prospective parents/carers, governors, visitors and partner agencies working within the academy. The policy will be available on the academy intranet at U:\Intranet Staff\Staff General Documents\Policies and Procedures\PDF documents Roles and responsibilities 1 P a g e

3 Principal has overall responsibility for: The policy and its development, implementation and effectiveness Liaising with the Governing Body, parents/carers, the Local Authority and appropriate external agencies. Using the expertise within the academy and sharing the responsibilities Coordinating communication to those directly involved and deciding on who gives the news to the academy community and press as appropriate Designated deputy designated person within the academy who can take responsibility in the absence of the Principal and support in the event of a death or traumatic loss. Academy Chaplain has overall responsibility for: The emotional and spiritual support of the whole academy community Putting in place appropriate emotional, spiritual and intellectual support to help students and staff deal with these experiences Coordination and delivery of appropriate acts of collective worship Retaining in the library and chaplaincy office such materials as may be useful for training, guiding staff/peers as well as supporting those in bereavement A nominated Governor has responsibility for bereavement and loss issues including contributing to : The generating and updating of the policy Supporting the Principal in overseeing the way in which bereavement and loss is tackled Reviewing how the policy works in practice and how this is embraced within the curriculum Staff support and training It is important all staff feel confident they would know what to do and who to talk to about support for students and each other. Bereavement and loss awareness training will be provided for all staff and relevant governors, working on the academy site, to ensure everyone has knowledge of what the National Academy provides, its policy and how to respond in the initial stages. The National Academy will also have a nominated team with expertise to ensure they are confident to provide the support needed to staff and Governors. These staff will be given specific training and access to regular refresher training to keep them up to date with developments as part of a programme of continuous personal development. Curriculum Children and young people should be able to explore the concept of loss, bereavement and grief as part of the school curriculum. At the National Academy this is included as part of personal development. Assemblies may also be used, as appropriate, to address aspects of death and loss e.g. Remembrance Day or commemorative occasions. Any questions relating to loss, death or grief will be answered in a sensitive and age-appropriate, yet honest and factual way, using a range of teaching methods. Children and young people should be given the opportunities to learn about and discuss cultural and religious issues around death and loss primarily through RE and personal development lessons. They should also be encouraged to express their own emotional responses and feelings but also their on-going relationships with those who have suffered bereavement or loss. Parents and carers 2 P a g e

4 In acknowledging the role of the National Academy in dealing with bereavement and loss, the academy will support the role of parents and carers who remain the most significant people when young people may be trying to come to terms with their loss. The academy will support parents and carers in this by: Sharing with them the intended responses of the academy and will keep them fully informed throughout the immediate period of grieving. Offering parents guidance to help them respond to questions and better understand reactions from their children. Procedures The National Academy will use a range of guidelines and resources to be used in the event of a death or loss that will be available to all staff as decided through appropriate training. Each situation will be different and the strategies used need to be appropriate to the circumstances. For example: When a school community as a whole experience the death of a teacher or pupil it is likely that the Principal in liaison with the Academy Chaplain will activate the academy s emergency plan When a pupil has experienced the death of a parent, sibling or close family member it is likely that the pupil s Tutor in liaison with the House Achievement Leader and academy Chaplain will coordinate the response. The academy will record all experiences of bereavement. 3 P a g e

5 Outcomes By adopting a planned and considered approach the National Academy will promote positive outcomes for both staff and students within the academy. These may include: The Staff will: feel equally valued Have an opportunity to prepare themselves for the challenging role they face Be given time and space to work through their own feelings Become aware of the skills needed and be offered training, to develop them The Students will: Be offered support by sensitive, trained staff working together Grow as a result of this experience and be more able to come to terms with their feelings Develop a sense of perspective about their own lives and the fears that this might engender The Academy will: Have clear expectations about the way to act, not simply react Promote a sense of unity and identity in the whole community The Family will: Have real support to draw on Be given an opportunity to reinforce positive feelings of worth rather than a sense of loss The Parents/carers will: Be drawn into a closer partnership with the academy Be given guidance on how to support their children Have time to prepare their own responses to loss and bereavement Confidentiality Although it is important to maintain confidentiality throughout the handling of any incident or disclosure, students will be made aware that complete confidentiality cannot be guaranteed. This will help in retaining the trust of students and parents/carers and will ensure that the sharing of appropriate information is kept to a minimum. Sensitive information is only disclosed internally or externally with careful attention to the rights and needs of individuals. Responding to the media Some deaths, particularly those in sudden or traumatic circumstances, attract media attention. All members of staff will not respond to journalists and should refer all enquiries to the Principal. 4 P a g e