Support staff, teachers and pastoral teams with this gentle, practical training resource designed to help adults navigate difficult conversations about death, grief and bereavement with children in school settings.

This downloadable PPT provides clear scripts, age‑appropriate language, and emotionally safe guidance rooted in trauma‑informed practice. Built around the SPLOTCH framework (Space, Patience, Listen, Openness, Time, Compassion, Honesty), it gives staff the confidence to respond calmly, honestly and supportively when a child experiences loss.

What’s included
Ready‑to‑use conversation starters for checking in with bereaved pupils

Practical responses for emotions such as sadness, anger, loneliness and fear

Age‑appropriate explanations about death, memory, illness and mortality

Safeguarding guidance for disclosures such as “I want to die”

Activity ideas (memory box, bracelet, jar, Lego, drawing) to help children open up

Scripts for validating feelings without minimising or correcting

Supportive adult statements acknowledging your own emotions appropriately

Perfect for
Pastoral teams

Safeguarding leads

Teachers and support staff

School counsellors and wellbeing practitioners

Bereavement champions and mental‑health leads

Why this resource works
This training tool is gentle, practical and immediately usable, helping adults feel prepared for conversations that often feel overwhelming. It promotes emotional safety, honesty and connection—giving children choice, control and reassurance during one of the hardest moments of their lives.