Children in Scotland is asking those who work with children to take part in their Childhood Bereavement Survey, which aims to improve childhood bereavement services and the support they offer.
The ‘Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief’ alliance is working alongside Children in Scotland to make Scotland a place where there is more openness about death, dying and bereavement. Childhood bereavement, where a child loses a parent, sibling, or other significant figure in their life, can affect children at any point in their young lives.
It is estimated that around 5% of children in the UK are bereaved of a parent by the time they reach the age of 16. In Scotland, this means that approximately 4,600 children will experience the death of a parent each year.
Support for these children comes in many forms, including wider family, friends, schools and in some cases, specialist support. In other situations however, support may be missing altogether and bereavement can also be compounded by the wider challenges affecting some children’s lives.
Following discussions with stakeholders, Children in Scotland has become involved with the Scottish Government in how best to support bereaved children. As a result, the Government has committed to appointing “a new national co-ordinator of childhood bereavement services, to review and advise on steps to improve support”.
To further enhance the provision of childhood bereavement support services in Scotland, Children in Scotland wants to hear your views about the services available in your area and what priorities should be in place at a local level.
The survey is anonymous (unless you wish to leave your details) and your feedback and comments will help Children in Scotland to make recommendations to the Scottish Government. The survey closes at 12 noon on Monday 28 May.
Complete the Childhood Bereavement Survey
If you wish to contact someone at Children in Scotland for more information, please email
info@childreninscotland.org.uk with the subject line: Childhood Bereavement Survey.