Bereavement Policy for Early Years (2025)

Bereavement Policy – Supporting Children, Families, and Staff in Times of Loss

This Bereavement Policy provides a clear, compassionate framework for how an early years setting or school responds to the death of a child, family member, staff member, or someone close to the setting community. It ensures that children, families, and staff are supported sensitively and appropriately through the difficult experience of grief and loss.

The aim of this policy is to:

• Provide guidance for staff on how to respond to bereavement in a supportive, respectful, and age-appropriate way.

• Ensure consistency and sensitivity when managing communications with families, children, and external agencies.

• Support children’s emotional well-being and help them understand and express feelings related to loss.

• Provide a framework for offering emotional support and flexibility for staff members affected by bereavement.

Grief can deeply affect children’s emotional well-being, behaviour, and sense of safety. Having a clear Bereavement Policy in place:

• Promotes a calm, consistent response during times of shock or sadness

• Helps staff feel confident and supported when dealing with difficult situations

• Ensures your setting meets emotional and legal responsibilities

• Creates a caring, resilient learning environment where all individuals are valued and supported

Please also see our other polices here. 

Last Updated June 2025.

All our planning has been carefully created by experienced qualified primary school teachers with QTS therefore you can be sure that your planning will achieve your outcomes and aims.