Birkenhead
New Ferry
Bereavement
Legislation
• The Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay Act 2018
At Winston’s Place Day Nursery, we recognise that children and their families may experience grief and the loss of close family members or friends or their family pets whilst with us in the nursery. We understand that this is not only a difficult time for families, but it may also be a confusing time for young children, especially if they have little or no understanding of why their family is upset and why this person or pet is no longer around.
We aim to support both the child and their family and will adapt the following procedure to suit their individual needs and family preferences:
• We ask that if there is a loss of a family member or close friend that the parents inform the nursery as soon as they feel able to. This will enable us to support both the child and the family wherever we can and helps us to understand any potential changes in behaviour of a child who may be grieving themselves
• The key person and/or the manager will talk with the family to ascertain what support is needed or wanted from the nursery. This may be an informal discussion or a meeting away from the child to help calm a potentially upsetting situation
• The child may need extra support or one-to-one care during this difficult time. We will adapt our staffing arrangements, so the child is fully supported by the most appropriate member of staff on duty, where possible the child’s key person
• We will be as flexible as possible to adapt the sessions the child and family may need during this time.
We will adapt the above procedure as appropriate when a family pet dies to help the child to understand their loss and support their emotions through this time.
We also recognise that there may also be rare occasions when the nursery team is affected by a death of a child or member of staff. This will be a difficult time for the staff team, children and families. Below are some agencies that may be able to offer further support and counselling if this occurs.
The Samaritans: www.samaritans.org 116 123
Priory: www.priorygroup.com 0800 691 1481
Child Bereavement UK: www.childbereavementuk.org 01494 568 900
Cruse Bereavement Care: https://www.cruse.org.uk 0808 808 1677
British Association of Counselling: www.bacp.co.uk
SANDS: https://www.sands.org.uk/
Death of a child
If an employee experiences the death of a child under the age of 18 or suffers a stillbirth from 24 weeks of pregnancy, the employee will be entitled to two weeks paid leave, subject to meeting the eligibility criteria having been employed for at least 26 weeks.
Support will be given, including making reasonable adjustments on the return to work and further ongoing support, as required.
Death of a Child (Parental Bereavement Leave)
If an employee experiences the death of a child under the age of 18 or suffers a stillbirth from 24 weeks of pregnancy, they are entitled to Parental Bereavement Leave in accordance with legislation.
All eligible employees are entitled to two weeks’ Parental Bereavement Leave from the first day of employment.
Parental Bereavement Leave may be taken as either:
• Two consecutive weeks, or
• Two separate one-week periods
The leave must be taken within 56 weeks of the date of the child’s death or stillbirth.
Who Qualifies as a Parent
For the purposes of this policy, an eligible parent includes:
• A biological parent
• An adoptive parent
• A parent through surrogacy
• A legal guardian
• A person who lived with the child and had day-to-day responsibility for them for at least four weeks prior to the child’s death
Notice Requirements
Employees should notify the nursery as soon as reasonably practicable of their need to take Parental Bereavement Leave.
No formal written notice or evidence will normally be required, and the nursery will act with compassion and flexibility at all times.
Miscarriage Before 24 Weeks
In cases of miscarriage before 24 weeks of pregnancy, Parental Bereavement Leave does not apply. However, the nursery may offer compassionate leave and support on a discretionary basis.
Confidentiality and Ongoing Support
All bereavement matters will be handled sensitively and confidentially. Information will only be shared with those who need to know in order to provide appropriate support.
Support will be given, including reasonable adjustments on return to work and further ongoing support, as required.
Other Bereavements
In the event of the death of a close family member not covered by statutory entitlement, the nursery may offer paid or unpaid compassionate leave at the discretion of management.