Meeting unmet need? An initial evaluation of a groupwork approach to supporting children who are bereaved

Support for children experiencing bereavement varies considerably across the UK depending on organisational values and resources, the specific population and the individual expertise and experience of professionals. This paper describes a groupwork approach to meeting the needs of this population. It was developed by a hospice in central Scotland in response to a lack of formal support identified by both professionals and families within the community. It uses the Seasons for Growth loss and change education programme as a method of groupwork intervention. The paper discusses the initial evaluation of the groupwork service from when it was established in September 2007 to January 2010. It outlines the background to setting up the service, the sources and reasons for referral and the evaluation process and findings. Implications for group intervention with children who are bereaved are discussed in the conclusion.