Tier
Tier 2: Early Intervention and Cohort Specific Support
Program Description
The Grief Informed School Care (GISC) program is a whole school approach to increasing knowledge, awareness and responsiveness to students, families and school staff experiencing grief.
Schools are trained and supported on how to manage students dealing with grief and understand the impact on themselves. This program includes online training for teachers and school staff, resources for families and students and a Grief Response Kit designed to assist schools with a grieving student or when death impacts a school.
Detailed Cost
The cost of the program per School (inc. GST) is $3,500.00 or per person (inc. GST) is $295.50.
Implementation Considerations
Target population: Teachers and school staff.
Program adaptability: An initial consultation with the school will identify any specific requirements. The program can be adapted to educate school staff on student grief at all ages and additional training can be included to address the needs and requirements of vulnerable cohorts.
Staffing: Teachers and staff will be able to complete the online training program in their own time. If additional support is required, schools may need to provide a backfill for staff participation, depending on time commitments.
Training requirements: Schools will require their staff have computer access, internet access and time to watch the videos and review the resources. Training is online and self-paced, with three recordings of 1.5 hours for school staff to watch. Consultations and additional support can range from 30 minutes to 3 hours.
Factors to consider: If face-to-face support is requested, activities require 20 participants per 1 trainer.
Australian context: This program has been designed in Australia utilising clients' feedback, information, and data.
Strength of Evidence
Level 2: Supported by expert opinion or evidence for practice
Geographic Location
State-wide
Intended Outcomes
• Prepare teachers and school staff to support students experiencing grief
• Provide a safe a stable environment for students to express grief