During this tough but valuable conversation Emma and guests delve into how we can best support children going through loss and grief of a loved one. We look at how the emotional and mental health consequences of bereavement can be reduced as much as possible, what support you should expect from your school, what practical actions can be taken, and how important it is to give yourself some grace.

If you are looking for support through a diagnosis or bereavement and are in the Oxfordshire area please do get in contact with SeeSaw. SeeSaw provides support to families when a parent/carer or sibling is terminally ill or has died. Families can self-refer, and they can accept self-referrals from older young people up to the age of 18. There is no time limit on referrals – contact can be made at any point following a death. They offer advice, information, suggestions for resources and activities, and direct work with children and young people if needed.

They also offer advice, support and training to schools and other professionals involved with the family. If you are a teacher or school representative this might be a useful free resource for you.

If anyone listening outside of Oxfordshire would like to find out more about child bereavement services in their area, they can search via the Childhood Bereavement Network. Other national child grief organisations are CBUK and Winston’s Wish, and you will also be able to find resources on your local council website, through the NHS online, or through your doctor.

If you’d like to hear more about what I get up to, please follow me on Instagram @head_in_heels

Or if you want to learn more about the Dragon School, our Instagram account is @dragonschooloxford

And if you’ve got any ideas or dilemmas you’d like us to discuss, please do email us at [email protected]

• Host – Emma Goldsmith, Head of the Dragon School
• Annie Brylewska-Cooper – SeeSaw Charity representative and Children and Families Practitioner
• James Rose – Director of Talk Education and father of three boys
• Producer and Co-Ordinator – Jess Forde
• Co-Ordinator – Sheena Lawrence & Imelia Taylor
• Technical Producer – Seb Engert
• Assistant Technical Producer – Ali Orr
• Cover Artwork – Dan Forde @ Pier Studio