The project is facilitated by the Metropolitan Police Service, whose officers will refer children and young people into the support service, enabling the provision of timely, trauma-informed, face-to-face support.
It follows the success of a pilot service, launched in 2023, which established, for the first time in London, in-person caseworker support for adults in the aftermath of a crash on London’s roads, delivered by Brake.
Now, thanks to a three-year TfL funding pledge and the new collaboration between Brake and Child Bereavement UK, the same high-quality care is available to children.
Meanwhile, Metropolitan Police officers will refer any adults who have been affected by a road death or serious injury in London to Brake’s National Road Victim Service for specialist emotional and practical support.
Brake’s CEO Ross Moorlock said: “It is vital that children and young people receive the support and care they need, following a road collision in which their loved one has died. We know that the loss of a parent, care-giver or someone close to a child can have a profound, long-term impact on their lives and may affect their long-term prospects.
“Child Bereavement UK provides an excellent, experienced service. We are delighted to be working with them in this new partnership, thanks to funding announced recently by Transport for London. Working in collaboration with Child Bereavement UK means we can secure a seamless, trauma-informed pathway to support for people of all ages affected by devastating road crashes.”
Maninder Hayre, director of services and partnerships at Child Bereavement UK, added: “We are pleased to partner with Brake to provide direct support to children bereaved by road traffic collisions. The death of a parent or caregiver is a distressing and life-changing experience for any child or young person; a sudden or unexpected death can bring additional layers of shock, distress, devastation and disbelief to a bereavement.
“We hope that through this partnership we can help children and young people to rebuild their lives, finding ways to remember someone important to them who has died, and live alongside their grief.”
To find out more about how Brake supports people affected by road death and injury, or get help after a crash, go to www.brake.org.uk/support.
Pictured above: Staff from Brake, the road safety charity and Child Bereavement UK.
About Child Bereavement UK
Child Bereavement UK helps families to rebuild their lives when a child grieves or when a child dies. It supports children and young people (up to the age of 25) when someone important to them has died or is not expected to live, and parents and the wider family when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying.