Drawn by Ava, Age 5

When someone is ill, or when someone has died, the whole family and friendship circle is affected. This can include children and adolescents. The special needs of children can sometimes be unintentionally forgotten in the stressful situations that surround someone who is very ill or dying. There is often a feeling of wanting to protect children, but they will know that something is happening. Having resources to support children and to help start difficult conversations may be useful.

Information can be found in the communication section on Talking with children. There are resources that describe the differing levels of understanding of children, which helps in knowing how to discuss sensitive issues and at what age they can understand concepts of death.

Something that is not always recognised is that Children provide care too. Many are involved in looking after a family member, and have to juggle this with school and social activities. There is information in the How to Care section that can help understand their situation and to support them.

Following the illness and death of a family member or close friend, children will need support. Within the Bereavement, Grief and Loss section is a page on Children and grief and loss providing information and resources that may be of help. There is also a page in the same section on the Death of a child which gives a different perspective of grief and loss.

This page was created on 26 May 2009 and is due for review in May 2011