Support For Professionals

At 2wish, we understand that the sudden and unexpected death of a child or young person affects not only families but also the professionals who care for, support and work alongside them.

Healthcare workers, emergency responders, educators, social care professionals and other frontline staff can experience a significant emotional impact following a traumatic bereavement. Supporting others through devastating circumstances whilst managing your own professional responsibilities can be challenging, and it is important that you feel supported too.

Who Can Access Support?

How We Support Professionals

Our dedicated professional support services are designed to help those affected by the death of a child or young person, whether directly involved in the incident, caring for the family afterwards, or supporting a bereaved community.

At 2wish we offer

Emotional Support – Professionals can access confidential emotional support from our experienced team. We provide a safe and understanding space to talk about the impact of a child’s death, explore difficult feelings and access appropriate guidance.

Specialist Training – Our training programmes equip professionals with the knowledge, skills and confidence to support bereaved families and communities.

Topics covered in our training sessions include

Understanding grief and trauma

Having difficult conversations

Supporting children and young people after a bereavement

Self care and professional resilience

Responding to sudden and traumatic deaths

Immediate support following a child death

Professional Referral Form

If you or someone you know needs support, please get in touch by filling out the form below.

Support Enquiries

Our support for professionals affected by the sudden or unexpected death of a child or young person is free and confidential.

We offer counselling, training and debrief sessions. This short video explains the support available and how it can help individuals and teams process challenging experiences.

Why Professional Support Matters

The impact of a child’s death can be far-reaching. Professionals are often exposed to traumatic situations and may carry the emotional weight of supporting others through their grief. Seeking support is not a sign of weakness. Taking care of your own wellbeing enables you to continue providing compassionate and effective support to the families and communities who need you most.

For many professionals, supporting a family after the death of a child or young person is one of the most challenging experiences they will face in their career. While much of the focus is understandably placed on the bereaved family, the emotional impact on the professionals involved can be significant and long-lasting.

Professionals may experience feelings of sadness, shock, guilt, helplessness or self-doubt following a child's death. Those who were directly involved in providing care, responding to an emergency, delivering difficult news or supporting the family afterwards may find themselves replaying events, questioning decisions or wondering whether there was anything more they could have done.

The impact can extend beyond the workplace. Professionals may notice changes in their emotional wellbeing, relationships, sleep patterns or confidence at work. Some may become more anxious about future cases, while others may find it difficult to separate their professional responsibilities from their personal emotions. For individuals who have experienced their own bereavements or trauma, a child death may also trigger painful memories or feelings.

Repeated exposure to traumatic situations can contribute to compassion fatigue, vicarious trauma and burnout. Professionals often feel a strong sense of responsibility to remain resilient for the families they support, which can sometimes make it difficult to acknowledge their own needs or seek help. However, carrying the emotional weight of these experiences without support can have a lasting effect on wellbeing and job satisfaction.

Bereavement can also affect entire teams and organisations. Colleagues may experience grief differently, and a child death can have a profound impact on morale, team dynamics and confidence. Creating opportunities for reflection, debriefing and emotional support can help teams process their experiences and foster a healthy and compassionate workplace culture.

Professional Support Articles

We have several support articles designed to help professionals who may be affected by the death of a child or young person.

Discover how debrief sessions help professionals reflect, process difficult experiences, and maintain wellbeing while supporting others.

Understand vicarious trauma, recognise its impact, and learn practical ways to protect your mental wellbeing.

Learn how to seek support, make sensitive disclosures, and access help when you need it most.

Our Safeguarding Policy

Our Safeguarding Policy & Procedure document outlines 2wish’s policies regarding safeguarding children and vulnerable adults, and the measures taken by 2wish to ensure safeguarding best practice is maintained across the organisation.

Our Support for Professionals document outlines all of the confidential support services available to professionals. Please feel free to download and share.

FAQ's

What support does 2wish offer for professionals affected by the sudden death of a child or young person?

2wish provides confidential support for professionals who have been impacted by the sudden death of a child or young person. Support options include counselling, complementary therapies, and access to dedicated professional support services designed to fit around work commitments and daily life

Who can access professional support from 2wish?

Professional support is available to individuals whose work has been affected by the sudden death of a child or young person. This may include teachers, healthcare professionals, first responders, emergency services personnel, sports coaches, youth workers, and other professionals who encounter bereavement in their roles.

Can emergency services staff access bereavement support through 2wish?

Yes. 2wish recognises that emergency services personnel can be deeply affected by traumatic incidents involving the death of a child or young person. The charity offers confidential support to help emergency services professionals process their experiences and prioritise their wellbeing.

Is the support provided by 2wish confidential?

Yes. 2wish offers support in a confidential manner, ensuring professionals can access help safely and privately while balancing their work and personal responsibilities.

How do I refer myself for professional support?

Professionals can contact 2wish directly to request support. Individuals can self-refer by providing their details through the contact form or by calling the support team to discuss their needs.

Can I refer a colleague for bereavement support?

Yes. 2wish accepts referrals and provides fields for referral information, making it possible for managers, colleagues, or other professionals to help connect someone with appropriate support services.

Does 2wish provide support for professionals outside the emergency services?

Absolutely. While emergency services personnel are often impacted by traumatic incidents, 2wish supports professionals from a wide range of sectors, including education, healthcare, community organisations, sports settings, and other professions affected by the sudden death of a child or young person.