Grief Informed School Care (GISC) Program

Grief Informed School Care (GISC) equips schools to support students, families, and staff facing grief.

  • Tier: Tier 2: Early Intervention and Cohort Specific Support
  • Type of intervention: Disaster, grief and loss programs
  • Strength of evidence: Level 2: Supported by expert opinion or evidence for practice
  • Geographic location: Statewide

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.

Intended outcomes

  • Prepare teachers and school staff to support students experiencing grief
  • Provide a safe a stable environment for students to express grief

Program details

Target audience
  • Primary school students - lower
  • Primary school students - upper
  • Secondary school students - lower
  • Secondary school students - upper
  • Capacity building for primary school staff
  • Capacity building for secondary school staff
Program providerAustralian Centre for Grief and Bereavement
Delivery mode
  • Online
  • Face-to-face support is available if requested

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 3 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.

Cost

  • Item cost: $2001-$5000
  • Detailed cost: The cost of the program per school (inc. GST) is $3,500.00 or per person (inc. GST) is $295.50.

Updated