Child Bereavement UK

Working with bereaved children and young people 2016/2017

Group Flipcharts

UNIT 1

OUR GROUP

Hopes for the course

New activities

Deeper grasp of theory

Self-reflection

Different ways of thinking

Develop creativity

Learning bout different types of bereavement

Learning from breadth of experience in group

Support

More confidence

Honesty

All share

Concerns

Anxieties over I.T. and other skills

Time management

Adapting to academia

Opportunity for case study

Travelling

Staying away from home

Lots of sitting – bad back

Staying in comfort zone

How we will work together

Participation

To be heard without interruption

Confidentiality

Respect/kindness

Non-judgemental

Honesty

Supportive

Homework

Sharing resources

Humour

Safety

Challenge with support

BUDDIES/PEER SUPPORTERS

Mary and Angela

Jane and Ceinwen

Lisa and Cath

Clare, Shelley and Alison

HOME GROUPS

MARY
JANE
LISA
CLARE / ANGELA
CEINWEN
CATH
SHELLEY
ALISON

FEEDBACK

What is feedback?

Criticism?

Fact or opinion?

Evaluation of you; your practice; your skills

Constructive/helpful

ENDINGS

What makes for a good ending?

Planning

Control

Preparation

Recognition it is a process, not an event

Clear communication

Partnership

Calmness

Choices at end

Achievement

Expected – no shocks

Expectations shared

Managed

Acknowledged

Recognition that there may be multiple endings

What’s important in ending with children? (own examples of how work has ended)

A treat

Memento

Opportunity to reflect on work done/original hopes and fears/achievement

Presentation/affirmation

Sharing their wisdom

Validation

DEVELOPMENT

Development is an evolutionary process, an unfolding – not only for the physical child, but of the child emotionally and cognitively

Silverman

What are the key requirements for healthy development into ‘well adjusted’ human beings?

Love/affection

Stability

Boundaries

Security

Respect

Trust

Honesty

Emotional needs met

Physical needs met

Psychological needs met

Social needs met

(adequate finances for these needs)

Spiritual needs met

Cultural needs met

Religions needs met (as child evolves)

Maslow’s Hierarchy of needs (Maslow, A. H. (1943). A theory of human motivation. Psychological review,50(4), 370.)

  • Food/shelter
  • Safety/security
  • Warmth/love
  • Self-actualisation
  • Success
  • Achievement
  • Valued
  • Fulfilled
  • Content

(Lower needs must be satisfied for self-actualisation to be possible)

DEVELOPMENT

What can impair a child’s development?

Illness – own or family members

Brain damage

Family dynamics – divorce, instability

Cultural and spiritual dynamics/beliefs

Abuse – sexual, emotional, physical

Neglect – lack of food

Attachment issues – lack of love, emotional nourishment

Parental mental health

Sibling dynamic

Trauma – death, loss

Lack of stimulation and experiences

Over-protection/parental anxiety

Parental role models re behaviour/attitudes

THEORIES/MODELS OF GRIEF

Our knowledge:

William Worden’s tasks of mourning

Elizabeth Kubler Ross – stages of grief

Colin Murray Parkes – phases of grief

Stroebe and Schut – dual process model

Lois Tonkin – growing around grief (circles model/fried egg model)

Klass, Silverman and Nickman – continuing bonds

Bowlby – attachment

Richard Wilson – whirlpool of grief

Freud – detaching from deceased

Tony Walters/ Dennis Klass – narrative/biographical theories of grief

Robert Neimeyer – grief as a meaning-making process

Therese Rando – 6 R’s model (recognise, react, recollect, relinquish, readjust, reinvest)

OUR EXPERIENCES OF LOSS

Feelings and needs in an experience of loss

I felt…. / I needed….
Guilt / Understanding
Shock / Time
Confusion / Understanding
Relief / Support
Shock / Time
Sadness / Closure
Sadness / Sort out practical aspects
Sadness / Closure
Sadness / Comfort
Powerless / Time
Confusion / Understanding