Grief and Bereavement in Schools: Meeting the Needs of School Communities in Times of Trauma and Loss

Current understandings of the critical role of the school as a supportive environment in the wake of grief and loss events provide opportunities for the school to influence the outcomes of these events.

New knowledge about the impact of grief and trauma on teachers and school leaders; the critical role that school culture and leadership exerts on these events; the need for a whole-of-school approach to grief; and the impact of loss upon children, adolescents and adults will be highlighted through review of current research and practice about loss and grief in the school setting.  Particular attention will be given to the implications for the management of critical incident and emergency management.

Participants will have the opportunity to reflect upon and discuss the practice implications of these issues.