Winston’s Wish has launched a new SEND Rapid Response package designed to support educational providers following a bereavement in the school community. 

We have worked exclusively with Sarah Helton, a SEND Trainer and Consultant who specialises in grief and bereavement, to create this specific package designed with SEND pupils in mind. 

Sarah, also known as the BackPocketTeacher, has worked in the Special Educational Needs/Disabilities (SEND) field for more than 25 years and has an outstanding track record in a diverse range of roles from Deputy Head to Local Authority Education Officer as well as Educational Publisher. 

Rapid Response is a trailblazing package offered by Winston’s Wish to education settings to offer fast bereavement support when there has been a death in the school community. This special training session, delivered online, is designed to support teachers and school staff to be able to recognise signs of grief and to support pupils through the bereavement.  

The SEND Rapid Response one-day package covers such topics as how to communicate what has happened, how to offer support and understanding around complex feelings and explore the fears around the pupil’s own mortality or that of others, as well as offering help and acknowledging the wellbeing of the teachers who are supporting grieving pupils.  

All schools will experience bereavement, but for special schools it can sadly occur more frequently. A significant death within the school community can have a ripple effect, impacting students, staff and families, making it hard to balance their own grief whilst supporting the grief of others.  

In recognition of this Winston’s Wish is offering SEND Rapid Response Training aimed at supporting special schools helping them through the toughest of times and preparing them for future losses. This online training session will consider the particular needs that staff will face when helping young people to understand and express their grief whilst being mindful of staff wellbeing. We are very excited to launch this important training to complement our ongoing work in supporting bereaved young people with additional needs. 

 

Sarah Helton, BackPocketTeacher

Sarah went on to say, “The needs of children and young people with SEND are often overlooked due to their cognitive or communication differences. We know that a young baby can be affected by the death of a parent. If a baby has the capacity to experience this, then every child with SEND has at least this level of understanding and it is often much higher than we realise. 

“There are many perceived barriers to children and young people with SEND gaining bereavement and grief support, but in reality, the only true barrier is us. We need to have confidence to talk about death and grief to all young people.” 

Letizia Perna, Director of Services and Service Transformation at Winston’s Wish comments, “Sarah’s collaboration with Winston’s Wish elevates our ability to address the unique challenges faced by bereaved SEND children and young people. By integrating their perspectives more deeply, we’ll create even more nuanced, effective support systems that truly resonate with their experiences.  

“We’re passionately committed to amplifying the voices of SEND children and young people throughout our organization. The lived experiences, ideas, and feedback of all bereaved children and young people will continue to be at the heart of our decision-making processes, programme development, and service delivery.” 

SEND Bereavement Support

SEND Rapid Response training

Our SEND Rapid Response training offers bereavement training and support for schools needing urgent help.

The course is available to teachers and schools following a death in the school community. Find out more about our new training.

Supporting a bereaved child with SEND

For those supporting a child with SEND you may be inclined to want to protect and shield children and young people from difficult and sad situations.

But it’s important to have honest and open conversations, which is why we provide information and guidance to supporting children with additional needs and disabilities.