Here are some questions you might have about your child’s participation and filling in the survey with your child?
Thank you for your interest in the UK Commission on Bereavement’s surveys for children and young people about support when someone close has died. This page gives you more information about the surveys. You can also listen to this information here. You can print this information off here and read it in these languages.
Who are the surveys for?
There are three surveys available:
one for children aged 5-12,
one for children aged 13-15
and one for young people aged 16 - 17.
They are for children and young people bereaved in the last three years. The surveys ask about your child’s experiences and about ideas for how support can be made better for others in the future.’
The surveys should only be completed by children and young people who are comfortable to talk about their bereavement. It is their choice whether to take part or not. Everyone deals with bereavement differently but we suggest that they are at least six months on from their bereavement.
How long do the surveys take to complete?
The surveys for 5-12 and 13-15 year olds take about 10 minutes to complete.
The survey for 16/17 year olds takes about 25 minutes to complete.
There isn’t a way to save the survey and return to it, so if you notice that your child(ren) need more time, perhaps minimise the survey or save your answers to a separate document and see how they feel later on.
How will our answers be used?
Your and your child’s survey answers will be put together anonymously alongside those from adults and organisations into a report with recommendations about bereavement support and how it could be improved in the future. If we quote things you or your child has said, we will not use your names or identify you.
What if I or my child change our minds about taking part?
You can email us at UKCB@Mariecurie.org.uk by 31 January and we will delete your answers.
How will my and my child’s data be stored and processed?
Marie Curie are running the survey on behalf of the UK Commission on Bereavement. They will keep your contact information and your and your child’s answers until the report has been published. We keep these personal data so that we can
- find your answers if you change your mind about taking part
- respond to any safeguarding concerns. All responses to the survey will be reviewed on a regular basis. If a child, young person, or adult shares any information that they themselves or anyone else maybe at risk of harm we will follow this up in line with our Safeguarding Policy and Procedures. If we need to take action to protect a child, young person, or adult at risk we may need to contact you directly or we may need to share your contact information in a referral to the Local Authority/Health and Social Care Board (NI) (safeguarding team).
After the report has been published, we will remove any information from your and your child’s answers that could identify you, and we will keep this anonymised data until the end of 2023.
What if my child gets upset?
It can be normal to experience difficult feelings when thinking about bereavement. Your presence will help to reassure your child as they complete the survey. It may help them to know that their views are important and people want to hear them. You can remind them that they can take a break, miss out a question or stop completely if they want to. We also have some ideas for things to do after the survey or as needed. These activities may help to support you and your child(ren).
What if we need more support?
There is information on a range of support services for bereaved children and young people available below. They are there to help any child or young person affected by bereavement, and can also provide support for any adult supporting a bereaved child or young person.
The Childhood Bereavement Network has a searchable map of local services at www.childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk
These national charities are also available for help and support.
Child Bereavement UK Tel: 0800 02 888 40 www.childbereavementuk.org
Childline: Tel: 0800 1111 Website: www.childline.org.uk
Cruse Bereavement Care (England, NI and Wales) Freephone National Helpline: 0808 808 1677 Website: www.cruse.org.uk www.hopeagain.org.uk
Cruse Bereavement Care (Scotland) Telephone: 0808 802 6161 Website: www.crusescotland.org.uk
Grief Encounter Telephone: 0808 802 0111 Website: www.griefencounter.org.uk
Winston's Wish Telephone: Family Line 08088 020 021 Website: www.winstonswish.org.uk
If you have any further questions about the survey or the work of the Commission, you can contact us at 0800 090 2309
If you have any further questions, you can contact us at:
ukcb@mariecurie.org.uk or call 0800 090 2309 or visit Marie Curie who provide free bereavement support