Support for Children, Young People and Families

Children and teenagers can move in and out of grief very quickly. They may appear fine one moment and be overwhelmed the next. These services provide age-appropriate help for bereaved children and young people, as well as guidance for parents, carers and schools.

Bereavement Support for Children, Teenagers and Families

• Northern Ireland Ages 4 to 18 Barnardo’s Child Bereavement Service
  Specialist support for children and young people, together with their parents or carers, following difficult or traumatic bereavements. Check referral criteria.
• UK and Northern Ireland Young people Hope Again
  Cruse’s website for bereaved children and young people, with personal experiences, videos and information about grief.
• UK and Northern Ireland Up to age 25 Child Bereavement UK
  Support and information for bereaved children, young people, parents, families and the professionals helping them.
• UK Children and families Grief Encounter
  Information, activities and support for bereaved children, young people and families. Check which direct services are available in Northern Ireland.
• UK Directory and guidance Childhood Bereavement Network
  Guidance for families, schools and professionals, together with information about finding local support.
• UK Sibling loss Sibling Support
  Resources created for young people after the death of a brother or sister.
• UK Memory making Bodie’s Treasured Memory Bags
  Memory-making resources for children and families following bereavement.
• Northern Ireland Cancer Cancer Fund for Children
  Support for children and families affected by cancer, including bereavement support in relevant circumstances.
• North West Ages 4 to 18 Foyle Hospice Healing Hearts
  Free support for children and young people following the death of someone important, regardless of the cause of death or a previous hospice connection.
• Northern Ireland Parents and carers Parentline NI
  NI’s Regional Helpline for Parents and Carers. Offering free listening and support for families facing family difficulties.
• Under 19 Confidential helpline Childline
  Free confidential support for children and young people at any time.
• Under 25 Emotional support The Mix
  Emotional and practical support for young people, including support with grief and mental health.
• All-Ireland Suicide bereavement Safe Harbour
  Resources for children and families following a death by suicide.
• Northern Ireland Guide for adults Bereaved NI: Supporting Children and Young People
  Official guidance for parents and carers supporting a bereaved child or young person.
• All-Ireland | Bereaved parents and siblings Anam Cara
  Free peer support, information meetings and resources for parents following the death of a child. Anam Cara also provides guidance for parents supporting bereaved siblings and holds meetings across Ireland.
• Guidance and resources for families, schools and professionals Digital Roadmap: Supporting School Communities Through Bereavement & Palliative Care
  This digital roadmap is a one-stop guide for school staff supporting children, young people and families through palliative care, end-of-life care, and bereavement. It is a centralised hub that connects staff to advice, training, and good practice examples, helping them to find the right information at the right time. It also includes resources for teachers, parents, carers, children, and young people, along with links to useful support organisations and helplines.

Know of a useful resource?

If you know of a useful website, organisation or service that should be included, please contact me with the details. I’ll review your suggestion and, if it is relevant, add it to the directory. Alternatively, if you need to updates please do let me know.

Back to the Bereavement Support directory

Information last checked: October 2026. Services, eligibility and referral arrangements may change, so please confirm details directly with each organisation.