“One of the most valuable aspects was connecting with others doing this work every day” At St Christopher’s, education has long been an important part of how we share knowledge, develop practice and support professionals working across palliative and bereavement care.
Alongside providing care and support to patients and families, we deliver a wide range of learning opportunities for professionals across health, social care, counselling, education and community services – creating space for reflection, specialist learning and professional development.
One of the longest-running programmes within this work is Working in Childhood Bereavement – a university-accredited course that has supported practitioners across the UK for nearly 30 years.
Now hosted by St Christopher’s, the programme brings together a small cohort of professionals to deepen their understanding of childhood bereavement, strengthen their practice and build meaningful professional connections.
Supporting bereaved children and young people requires sensitivity, skill and a deep understanding of how grief is experienced at different stages of development. Yet many professionals working in this area have had little opportunity for specialist training.
Participants on the course come from a range of sectors, including education, counselling, hospice care, social work and community organisations.
For Jade, Child and Families Lead Practitioner at St Columba’s Hospice Care in Edinburgh, one of the biggest surprises about the course was the learning experience itself.
“From previous experiences of online training, I wasn’t sure how much I would take in through a screen,” she explains. “But the sessions were always engaging, with lots of opportunities for discussion and sharing.”
The hybrid structure of the course combines in-person learning with monthly online sessions, creating space for both professional development and peer connection.
“Having the first few days in person helped you get to know the other people taking part in the course and build connections, which then carried through the online sessions,” Jade says.
For many participants, the opportunity to learn alongside others working in similar roles becomes one of the most valuable aspects of the programme.
“It was incredibly valuable to meet others who are doing this work every day and learn from their experiences,” Jade reflects. “Even after the course has finished, we still support each other – sharing resources, advice and ideas.”
Alongside building professional networks, participants also develop greater confidence in their own practice.
“The course helped me trust my knowledge around childhood bereavement,” says Jade. “It consolidated my understanding and increased my confidence by helping me better understand the theories that underpin our everyday work.”
When asked what she has taken most from the programme, Jade’s answer is simple:
“The most valuable thing I’ve learnt is to remain curious. We are always learning, and that’s what helps us grow as practitioners.”
Applications are now open for the next Working in Childhood Bereavement cohort.
The programme is designed for professionals supporting children and young people where bereavement forms part of their role and offers 40 university credits accredited by Middlesex University.
Applications close on 28 June 2026.
Find out more and apply:
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