The Archie Child Bereavement Service (ACBS) has launched a new partnership with the University of Aberdeen, which will see student teachers being given specialist training on how to support a bereaved child.
Through the new partnership, it is hoped around 400 student teachers will benefit from the training each year.
The training sessions get underway this week, before the students head into the classroom to take up their placements.
The team will deliver two workshops to around 25 students per session, followed by a lecture for around 140 future teachers.
Part of The Archie Foundation charity, ACBS already provides bereavement support workers across the education sector, usually supporting children following the death of a loved one fellow pupil, teacher or another member of staff.
The experienced team offers advice on effective communication and what to say to parents to mirror what is being shared in school, as well as group and one-to-one sessions.
The training for student teachers in Aberdeen will cover how to help a child who has been bereaved, including language which is suitable for pre-school children, primary age and secondary pupils.
It will also cover reactions and issues and how to support children who are coming back to school after a bereavement.
The sessions will be delivered by child bereavement support workers Malcolm Stewart and Jane Watson, who are helped by a team of trained volunteers across the north of Scotland.
Jane said: “The student teachers of today are obviously the class teachers of tomorrow and it’s important that they learn how to provide the right support to children who have experienced a bereavement, whether that’s a family member, a member of staff, a friend or someone else who is important to the child.
“We are grateful to the University of Aberdeen for supporting the training so enthusiastically and we hope it will have a positive long-term impact for the children who need support.
“Every child is different, and we believe that with appropriate support, information and guidance all children and young people will manage their grief.”
Alyson Young, PGDE (Primary) Programme Director at the University of Aberdeen, said: “We are extremely grateful to ACBS for their invaluable contribution to our Initial Teacher Education programmes.
“Having seen first-hand the impact of bereavement on children and their families, I am in no doubt of the positive impact this training will have on the students with whom we work, and consequently on the thousands of children who will be supported by these new teachers throughout their careers.
“Giving teachers the tools with which to support children and families through times of grief and bereavement is so important to helping shape a generation of resilient young people.”
Archie has helped children and families across the north of Scotland for 23 years, funding specialist roles and projects at Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital and, more recently, at Highland Children’s Unit, Tayside Children’s Hospital and Dr Gray’s Hospital, Elgin.
In March 2022, the ACBS service expanded to include Tayside and Highlands, where there are experienced volunteers supporting children and families.
Visit www.archie.org/getsupport/ for more information about the practical, financial and emotional support available from The Archie Foundation, or https://archie.org/bereavement/ for details of the Archie Child Bereavement Service.