Guidance and Resources

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Silver Linings

As part of the pastoral care and support given to the children when they return to school Rainbows Bereavement GB are offering access to their Silver Linings programme.

'The Silver Linings Programme is an outlet for children in the form of a peer support Crisis response model based on six sessions in which participants share their personal stories, express their feelings, and reconcile the crisis event using their coping skills and move on to the future - knowing that they will be
supported by people who care for them.'

How to access Silver Linings
There are two Silver Linings programmes: one for ages 7-11 and one for ages 12-17.
In order to place this programme within the mission and ethos of our Catholic schools the DES has produced some Prayer and Activities to be used alongside the programme for 7-11 year olds. You can access all these resources by clicking on the images below.

Silver Linings: Additional Resources for Secondary Schools
These additional resources for 12-17 year olds, produced by two experienced Secondary practitioners, embed the programme within the mission and ethos of our Catholic schools. They can be accessed by clicking on the images below.

Introduction to Silver Linings Sessions

Session 1: Me and Feelings

Session 2: Life Changes

Session 3: Fear and Anger

Session 4: Endings and Beginnings

Session 5: Coping in the world today

Sessions 6 & 7: My own universe

Collective Worship: A guide for staff and leaders

Please note that there is no charge to schools for the Silver Linings Programme, however a donation would be gratefully received by the charity, Rainbows Bereavement Support GB.

Mental Health & Wellbeing Teacher Training Module

The Department for Education has published a Mental Health & Wellbeing teacher training module as part of its support package for RHSE. The webpage also contains links to lesson resources including videos and to additional Covid 19 resources created by the Tenax Schools Trust. Please note that these resources are not specifically designed for faith schools and may need adapting/modifying for use within the context of a Catholic school. Updated 19/6/20

Mental Health & Wellbeing

Mental Health Access Pack: Helping the Church Support those With Mental Health Issues
This is a free online resource which provides a range of information and resources pertaining to Mental Health. It is organised under four key headings: Common Conditions, Caring for People, Practical Tips and What the Bible Says. It has been endorsed by a number of prominent Christians including Archbishop Bernard and The Baroness Hollins. Please click on the image to access the website. (Updated 7/01/2021)

The Catholic Education Service has created a web-page where you can access a range of resources which support mental health & wellbeing. These resources focus upon spiritual wellbeing in particular. Updated 19/6/20

Kenelm Youth Trust have a web-page containing resources including therapeutic resources.
Updated 19/6/20

Writing a Bereavement Policy

Key Document: Guidelines for Writing a Bereavement Policy
The guidance notes can be downloaded by clicking on the image.

Supporting Documents and Resources
There are a number of useful resources below. Most have been created for all schools to access and are not specifically for faith schools. Some of these will need to be adapted and modified. You can access all the resources by clicking on the links and/or images. A document containing all of these can be downloaded by clicking on the image on the right.

Rainbows GB
The Resource Centre is currently closed. However, the resources listed below have been made accessible to support schools during this time. The resources are taken from When Somebody Dies (half-day training course) and are available on their website here. The full resource pack including CDRom comes with the training which we will continue to facilitate when we are able to.
Breaking Sad News, Sample Memos and Letters and School Website Notices, Sample School Bereavement Policy and Procedures, Attitudes to Death, Memorials and Funeral Services, Draft Leaflet for Parent and Carers, Children with Special Educational Needs, Reactions to Grief: The Grieving Process, Children’s Reactions to Death

Child Bereavement UK
Managing Bereavement: A guide for schools
This resource contains useful advice and guidance to schools which will help you to reflect upon the necessary elements of a policy as well as in the process of constructing a policy.

Child Bereavement UK New resources include a short video and two pdf documents:
Supporting Bereaved Children Through Difficult Times and When a Grandparent Dies: The Impact on Children and Young People Updated 19/6/20

Sudden Bereavement Flowchart
Produced by the Diocese of Southwark this document can be downloaded here.

Children's Understanding of Death
See p6 of Managing Bereavement: A guide for schools (see above) or
www.childbereavementuk.org/education-sector
See pages 5-7 A Guide to Supporting Grieving Children and Young People in Education
www.winstonswish.org/supporting-you/support-for-schools
When Somebody Dies: Children's Reactions to Death
www.rainbowsgb.org/corona-virus-how-rainbows-can-help/
Dealing with Loss Primary/Dealing with Loss Secondary
www.rcaoseducation.org.uk/resources/bereavement

Scripture Quotations and Readings
Readings for the Commemoration of all the faithful departed (Holy Souls 2 November):
Isaiah 25:6-9
Psalm 26:1, 4, 7-9, 13-14 The Lord is my light and my help
Romans 5:5-11
Gospel: Year A: Matthew 11:25-30, Year B: Mark 15:33-39; 16:1-6, Year C: Luke 7:11-17
See also Appendix 1 of English Martyrs Catholic Voluntary Academy Bereavement Policy

Prayers for those who have died
The Art of Dying Well
The Liturgy Office
See Appendix 2 English Martyrs Catholic Voluntary Academy Bereavement Policy

Sample Letters
When Somebody Dies
A Strategy for Schools: Positive Responses to Death p 6-7 (Winston's Wish)

Sample Policies
We would like to thank the following schools for allowing us to share their Bereavement Policies.
Holy Trinity Catholic Primary School, Bilston
English Martyrs Catholic Voluntary Academy, Oakham