House of Commons · Westminster Hall
21 May 2024 · 5 other contributors · 4,221 words
Opened by Andy Carter Con Warrington South
Responding minister: David Johnston
Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.
Andy Carter raised concerns about support for bereaved children in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key points
Key requests to Government
Mr Carter asks the Minister to look into steps that can be taken to ensure data on bereaved children is collected and released, to consider expanding requirements for organisations to inform young people about local and national support services as proposed in Christine Jardine's private Member's Bill, and to outline what further measures are being taken to ensure young people have access to the help they need following a bereavement.
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said.
Opened the debate
Mr Carter is concerned about the lack of accurate data on bereaved children in the UK, noting that approximately 46,000 children annually lose a parent. He highlights the unique challenges faced by grieving children and emphasises the importance of providing them with adequate support. Mr Carter also stresses the need for clear pathways to help for young people experiencing loss.
Acknowledges the bravery of sharing personal testimony from a constituent, supports kinship carers who look after bereaved young people, and suggests removing the looked-after status requirement for accessing the adoption support fund.
Thanks the hon. Member for his speech and shares personal experience, suggesting that schools need guidance on spotting grieving children and understanding grief stages, and highlights the role of the Church in providing support.
States that the figures presented are just the tip of the iceberg, highlighting the need to create a protocol through her private Member's Bill—the Bereavement Support (Children and Young People) Bill—to connect children with support organisations. I agree with the need for better support but also acknowledge GDPR constraints. I suggest that registrars initiate the process of informing schools and other relevant bodies about a bereaved child's status.
Dan shares his personal experience of losing his father at age 12, describing how he struggled with guilt and anger but eventually found solace through Child Bereavement UK. He emphasizes the importance of support networks for grieving children.
Commends the hon. Member for bringing this issue to Westminster Hall, noting that a voluntary Barnardo's advice line exists but calls for Government action to set up a statutory body for permanent support.
Government Response
David JohnstonIt is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Mr Rosindell. I thank my hon. Friend the Member for Warrington South (Andy Carter) for securing this debate on an important topic. Dan from Priestley College, who wrote part of the opening speech, spoke movingly about his experience and should be proud of bringing it forward to help other young people. Bereavement can devastate children and young people as it is not what they expect in life. We all have a role in supporting bereaved individuals and ensuring that children and young people can access necessary support when needed. The Department for Education offers grants to train senior mental health leads in schools, with over 16,700 schools and colleges receiving such training, including more than eight in ten state-funded secondary schools. Additionally, there is £1.3 billion of recovery premium funding for schools to deliver evidence-based approaches to support pupil mental health and wellbeing. Mental Health Support Teams have been rolled out across the country, with coverage reaching 44% of pupils in April 2023 and aiming to reach at least 50% by March 2025. The Department is also providing record levels of investment in increasing the mental health workforce to expand NHS services, forecasted to benefit 345,000 more children and young people by March 2025. Schools teach pupils about recognising emotions and seeking support through the school curriculum. Relationships, sex and health education statutory guidance specifically includes bereavement and enables schools to deal sensitively with individual needs. Guidance has been published for supporting students who may be affected by bereavement during exam season. Data collection on bereaved children is a concern due to potential negative consequences but officials are exploring adding a question regarding bereaved children in the school census. The need to balance support availability against privacy concerns was noted, with plans to discuss this further.