Teachers supporting students at school

Schools can play an important role in providing stability, care and understanding when a student dies, or when a student in the class has experienced the death of a sibling.

During these times, it is common for teachers and school staff to feel unsure about what to say or how best to support students and families.

This factsheet offers guidance for teachers and school communities on how to respond when a child has died or when students are grieving. It encourages schools to work closely with the family to understand what information can be shared with the school community and how support can be offered in a respectful way.

It also explores how children and young people may respond to grief and loss at different ages, helping teachers recognise behaviours that may be linked to grief. Practical suggestions are included to support conversations with students, communicate difficult news in a sensitive and age-appropriate way, and keep other families informed so they can support their children at home.

The resource also helps identify approaches that may not be helpful and encourages teachers to seek support if they are concerned about a student’s wellbeing, while also caring for their own wellbeing.

Click here to download the factsheet.

The factsheet is now available in Arabic, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese and Traditional Chinese.