Rainbows Irelands’ Service provides a community-based approach of early intervention support for children and young people experiencing the impact of a death, parental separation, divorce or relationship breakdown.
At the core of Rainbows is a deep commitment to understanding the impact of loss, grief and family change on children and young people and the privilege and responsibility it is to support them.
Coping with loss and significant change is one of life’s biggest difficulties.
Grief is a natural response to that loss and significant change.
The very foundation of the Rainbows Ireland Framework of support recognises that
- Grief, loss and change are a normal and natural part of life
- The death of someone in a child’s or young person’s life can be profound and life changing.
- Each and every child and young person experiencing a significant death is a grieving person, no matter what their age or stage of development.
- Parental separation, divorce and relationship breakdown of parents can be associated with a diverse range of outcomes for children and young people
- Grief, loss and significant change is a very personal, individual journey different for every child and young person
- Children and young people are active, resilient participants in their own lives
- The dignity of each child’s and young person’s grief, loss and responses need to be respected and supported
- Each child and young person will respond in their own way and in their own time
- Grief, loss and significant change needs to be acknowledged and supported, not denied, buried or ignored
- The emotional health and wellbeing of children and young people impacted by significant life changing experiences is fundamental to their future mental health, wellbeing, and development.
Rainbows Ireland – Parent/Guardian Disclaimer
Rainbows Ireland Peer Support Groups bring together children who may have experienced bereavement, parental separation, or other significant losses in different ways. By taking part in a Rainbows Group, your child may meet peers whose experiences differ from their own. As part of these shared group conversations, your child may also become aware of aspects of bereavement or family change that they have not personally experienced.
All Rainbows Facilitators are trained to provide age appropriate, child centred support and to sensitively manage any issues or questions that arise during group sessions. Facilitators ensure that discussions remain suitable for the developmental stage of the group and that each child feels heard, respected, and supported at all times.‑appropriate, child‑centred support and to sensitively manage any issues or questions that arise during group sessions. Facilitators ensure that discussions remain suitable for the developmental stage of the group and that each child feels heard, respected, and
Rainbows Ireland is a peer support programme rather than a therapeutic or counselling service. Children are encouraged to participate at their own pace and only share what they feel comfortable sharing. If any concerns arise regarding your child’s wellbeing during the programme, a member of the Rainbows Team will contact you in line with our policies and procedures.