SCHOOLS in Budleigh Salterton and Exmouth are being offered free guidance to support suddenly bereaved children. Palmers Funeral Service, which has branches in both towns, has put together a free professional guide aimed at teachers, parents and carers of

SCHOOLS in Budleigh Salterton and Exmouth are being offered free guidance to support suddenly bereaved children.

Palmers Funeral Service, which has branches in both towns, has put together a free professional guide aimed at teachers, parents and carers of children who lose a close family member.

Ben Sharpe, manager of Palmers Funeral Service, said: "We're at the heart of the community and we often meet families who are struggling to help their children come to terms with the sudden bereavement of a loved one.

"Clearly there is a desperate need for this publication."

The guide has been produced by the Amy & Tom project, an initiative by road safety charity Brake, which conducted research in almost 100 UK schools attended by about 40,000 pupils aged from four to 18.

It revealed an average of two children bereaved per school every year and found that out of the one in five schools with policies, half did not include information on how to obtain bereavement literature.

The guide also found that three-quarters did not provide comprehensive advice for teachers.

Many bereaved children face difficulties on their return to school, such as mood swings, under-performing in schoolwork and find it difficult to interact with their friends, making them more vulnerable to bullying.

The guide is designed to give teachers and other carers an insight into children's understanding of sudden death, how they may react and express their grief and how teachers and carers can provide help.

Schools can request a copy of the book by calling Palmers Funeral Service on either (01395) 442252 or (01395) 222333.