Honest and clear information can help bereaved children

Wednesday 25 February 2009

The Childhood Bereavement Network (CBN) was saddened to hear of the death of Ivan Cameron, the eldest child of David and Samantha Cameron.

Every day families across the UK face similar experiences. CBN recommends that families be clear and honest when talking about the death of a family member with their children.

Alison Penny, Coordinator of the Childhood Bereavement Network, said: 'The death of a child is devastating for families, and can be really difficult for young siblings to understand. Even children who are too young to understand what death means will mourn the loss of someone close. They might not be able to say how they feel, but changes in their behaviour such as bedwetting, crying or seeming less capable than before can indicate their distress and anxiety.

'Simple, clear and honest information, given at a child's pace, can help them to understand what has happened. Little children often understand things at face value, and phrases like 'they've gone to sleep' can be confusing or might make bedtime difficult. Direct language can help avoid these misunderstandings. Children might also be worried about whether other people will die too, and will need plenty of reassurance.'

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Notes to editors

An animated DVD, 'Not too Young too Grieve', which looks at the way very young children respond to grief, and what the adults around them can do to help, is available for families to borrow from their nearest public library, produced by Leeds Animation Workshop. For more information, resources and details of local support services to help those caring for a bereaved child visit http://www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/

The Childhood Bereavement Network (CBN) is a national, multi-professional federation of organisations and individuals working with bereaved children and young people. It involves and is actively supported by all the major bereavement care providers in the UK. CBN is hosted by NCB and funded by the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund. For details, visit http://www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/

NCB's mission is to advance the well-being of all children and young people across every aspect of their lives.  As a membership and infrastructure support agency for the children's sector in England and Northern Ireland, NCB provides essential information on policy, research and best practice for our members and the members of our wide range of partnership bodies which operate under our charitable status and are based in our London headquarters. For further information visit http://www.ncb.org.uk/

For further information on this release please contact:
Sarah Thorne, Clare Quarrell, or Clare Lilley - NCB Media Office Tel: 020 7843 6359/6044/6047/07721 097033  Email: media@ncb.org.uk