Bereavement support is to be included in all West Dunbartonshire schools as councillors continue to support children and young people coping with grief. 

It comes after a motion was brought before full council last April by councillor Sophie Traynor, asking for “universal bereavement support”, to be included in all schools across the local authority. 

Since then West Dunbartonshire’s Psychological Service has already trained 62 companions to help children and young people through an eight-week programme, Seasons for Growth. 

Seasons for Growth is designed to promote the social and emotional well-being of young people who have experienced significant loss due to death or family breakdown.

Trained adult ‘companions’ then help the young people to understand the effects of change, loss and grief.

Last year 200 pupils attended 32 sessions across primary and secondary schools.

The programme, which has 162 trained companions, is aimed at 6-18-year-olds, assisting them in dealing with change, loss and grief.

Support will also be made available in Early Learning Centres. 

An update was brought before an education committee meeting where members highlighted just how important bereavement support was in schools. 

Depute council leader, councillor Michelle McGinty said: “This year, this has really been highlighted in our family. Recently my cousin was diagnosed with terminal cancer and she is a [young girl].

“Although the school has been very supportive of the family in giving her time off to make memories – there hasn’t really been much counselling in the lead-up to the bereavement.

“For kids we know who are going to face a bereavement, we don’t want to come in on the back of that bereavement happening – are we preparing them?

“The school has been very supportive but there is not that kind of counselling that talks about what we are going to face.”

Child Bereavement UK training will be offered to employees in Early Years and those working in specialist schools. Staff in primary and secondary schools have already taken part. 

A Seasons for Growth Parenting Programme will be developed for parents to support their child through change and loss with plans also to add bereavement to the curriculum.

Councillor Gordon Scanlon said: “I really want to pay tribute as well to councillor Traynor for bringing this motion to full council last April.

“I have had my own experience as well of losing a parent. When I lost my dad I was 14. 

“The support I received from the school at the time was allowing me to have a week off, waiting for the funeral to be finished, then I came back to school and joined in as normal.

“Now and then a teacher would say 'how are you doing?'

"I really think that this motion is an excellent example of how the council can make a real difference in things like this and help individuals who are going through the education system.

“I am really pleased to see all the work that has been done.”