The importance of relationship when supporting children and young people

Introduction: When children and young people experience grief, it can be expressed in very personal and unique ways.  Children and young people often feel alone in their grief and feel different from their peers.  Like adults, children and young people benefit from the opportunity to have their story heard and their experience recognised.  This presentation will explore the importance of supportive relationships as a precursor to validating their grief experience and the vital role of practitioners and school professionals.

Objectives: To examine the importance of quality relationships in supporting children and young people after significant loss that can then build the capacity and wellbeing of children and young people.

Approach: A review of research and literature regarding the grief experience of children and young people and the factors that assist them to process their experience with a focus on their overall wellbeing.

Practice Implications and conclusions: Quality relationships are key to ensuring a safe and secure environment where children and young people feel safe to share their story. This has implications for the practitioner and other professionals working with children and the presentation will outline practical opportunities to do so, with reference to the school setting.