Childhood grief programme for schools
An 8-week, in-school programme that helps students understand grief, build the tools to carry it, and find hope after loss, built around outcomes your school can actually report on.
Counsellor check-ins, a card from the class, flexibility on work.
The crisis response has passed, but the grief hasn't. Few students have the words, tools or trusted adults to carry it. GriefGap teaches grief as an ongoing skill.
Our mission
To make sure no young person has to face grief alone, or without the words for it.
Who it's for
GriefGap supports students after the death of someone close, and after the other major losses that change a young person's world. Your wellbeing team identifies who would benefit; we work with them through one school term.
What we offer
Start with a talk, run the programme for students who need it, keep them connected afterwards, and give your staff the confidence to help.
Students and staff
A 30 to 60 minute talk for assemblies, wellbeing days or staff briefings. WILF shares his story of losing a parent young, what grief is, and what helps.
Students after a loss
Our core in-school programme. Small groups of 6 to 12 students, or 1:1 support, over one term, with a report on 7 outcomes.
Students who've finished the programme
Facilitated small groups that meet regularly at school, so students keep their support network after the 8 weeks end, especially around hard dates.
Teachers, wellbeing staff and parents
Practical professional learning on supporting grieving students: what to say, planning for Mother's and Father's Day, and when to refer on. Parent evenings too.
The programme
Each week builds on the last, moving from "you're not alone" to a personal plan students take with them.
Meeting the group, setting safe ground rules, and seeing that others carry loss too.
Sadness, anger, guilt, fear, numbness, relief and hope. Grief comes in waves and has no timeline.
Private memory work. Nobody is ever asked to share in front of the group.
Movement, sleep, friendships, hobbies and creative outlets, and asking for help.
Planning for birthdays, anniversaries and Mother's or Father's Day, and building the win wall.
Who to ask, how to ask, and how to support a friend who is grieving.
Honouring the person, and making room for grief and growth side by side.
A personal plan, and a letter to their future self or to the person they miss.
How it runs
Reportable outcomes
Every cohort ends with a school report built around these outcomes, ready for your wellbeing plan and school council.
GriefGap is an educational and wellbeing programme. It supports students and works alongside your counselling team; it does not replace clinical care.
Safeguarding
Every facilitator holds a current Working With Children Check, Youth Mental Health First Aid and childhood-grief training.
Facilitators are never alone with students. Every cohort has a named school contact.
Your school contact tells us about any recently bereaved students before the programme starts.
No detail about causes of death in groups, including suicide. All sessions follow safe-messaging guidance.
Concerns go straight to your wellbeing team, with Kids Helpline and Lifeline as part of every student's support plan.
We confirm your state's mandatory reporting requirements with your school before any work begins.
Why GriefGap exists
"I lost a parent young. I'm building the programme I needed then."
GriefGap was founded by WILF, based in Victoria. He lost a parent as a child and a grandparent later in life, and saw how differently each loss was supported. Schools rallied in the first days. After that, there was little to help a young person carry it.
GriefGap is an independent childhood grief initiative. We're starting with schools in Victoria, Australia, and the goal is a world where every school knows how to support a grieving student.
Working together
Pay for the students who take part. Suits schools starting with a small group.
One flat fee for a group of up to 12 students across the term.
Ongoing access for schools running GriefGap every term.
Pilot schools
Run your first cohort at a reduced pilot rate in exchange for a short case study.
Get in touch
A free 20-minute call to talk through your students, your term calendar and whether GriefGap is the right fit. Pick a time that suits you.
Opens Calendly in a new tab. Please don't include students' names or personal details when booking.