It may take some time for a child to talk about death, but getting support and being listened to helps the healing. Barnardos Children’s Bereavement Service is here to help, by working with families to help them support their child through the grieving process. While we can't shield children from the reality of death and the pain of loss, we can help them to understand, to grieve and to cope a little better.
Barnardos Children’s Bereavement Service is supported by the Family Support Agency, Commission for the Support of Victims of Crime.
Download our free bereavement bookletsBarnardos Helpline Service - (01) 473 2110 - is available from 10am-12pm Monday to Thursday to members of the public seeking information and support in relation to bereavement. The Helpline is operated by fully trained and supported volunteers.
Specialist bereavement project workers based in Cork and Dublin work with children from all across the country. The service offered is based on the individual needs of each child and their family. Our service takes into consideration the developmental stage of the child, the child's relationship with the deceased, the nature of the death and particular circumstances of the family. Download more info
For community-based professionals who are encountering bereaved children.
Children must be referred to the Children’s Bereavement Service. Referrals will be accepted from anybody who has the consent of parents/carers.
Barnardos Children’s Bereavement Helpline: (01) 473 2110 Open Monday to Thursday, 10am-12pm
Dublin Office: 23/24 Lower Buckingham Street, Dublin 1 (01) 8134100 [email protected]
Cork Office: 8/9 Orchard View, Ring Mahon Road, Mahon, Cork (021) 4357679 [email protected]
Barnardos provides training and consultancy for groups and organisations whose work brings them into contact with bereaved children. We also undertake research on issues relating to childhood bereavement. Please email [email protected] for more information.
For further information on childhood bereavement we recommend visiting The Irish Childhood Bereavement Network website
This evaluation of Barnardos Bereavement Counselling Service for children aimed to gain an understanding of the nature and role of counselling for children who are bereaved.