ABSTRACT
This chapter explores the incidence of childhood bereavement, and loss through separation and divorce. Most children by the time they grow up to adulthood have had to withstand changes in their life that evoke feelings of loss and sometimes grief. In the reality of my experience as a teacher as well as a grief support worker, the impact of death and loss renders children and young people more vulnerable to long-term negative life consequences, stronger and more resilient. Helping a child come to terms with the loss of someone close to them is a challenging and sometimes daunting task for a teacher and one which has to be tackled with great care and forethought. There may be many in society who would argue that supporting children in emotional difficulties is a parental and family task, not a school. Schools are especially well placed to help these children by providing routine, safety, distraction, a home-from-home, care and support.
