Rainbows Professional Training
Our Workshops
We offer a suite of four professional workshops, each designed to build your knowledge and skills in a practical and meaningful way.
- Grief & Loss in Front Line Practice – on Thursday, 16th April 2026 at 10am-12.30pm
- Grief & Loss in the Classroom – on Tuesday, 21st April 2026 at 10am-12.30pm-FULLY BOOKED
- Grief & Loss in the Early Years Sector – on Thursday, 14th May 2026 at 10am-12.30pm
- Grief & Loss in the Classroom – on Thursday, 21st May 2026 at 10am-12.30pm– FULLY BOOKED
Further professional training dates for Autumn will be added over the next couple of months.
Follow us on social media to stay up to date with upcoming training opportunities.
Supporting Adults to Support Children Through Grief and Loss
For almost 40 years, Rainbows Ireland has walked alongside children and young people as they navigate grief, loss, and family change. Through our nationwide Rainbows Peer Support Programme, we have developed a deep understanding of how children experience and express grief—and what adults need to know to support them with confidence and care.
Today, we bring that expertise into our Professional Training Programme, designed specifically for those working directly with children and young people.
Who Is This Training For?
Our workshops are designed for frontline practitioners, including:
- Teachers
- Special Needs Assistants (SNAs)
- Early years professionals
- Social care and family support workers
- Social workers
- Youth and community workers
- Healthcare professionals
- Anyone supporting children and young people (one-to-one or in groups)
Why This Training Matters
Grief and loss are part of every community and every setting.
Children may experience loss through:
- Bereavement
- Separation or divorce
- Family change
- Illness
- Other significant life transitions
In these moments, children look to the adults around them for reassurance, understanding, and safety.
Yet many professionals feel unsure—concerned about “saying the wrong thing” or not having the right language, skills, or confidence to respond.
Our Approach
Rainbows Ireland Professional Training is designed to change that.
Our workshops provide practical, accessible learning that helps you feel more confident and equipped when supporting children and young people experiencing grief or loss.
What You Will Gain
Through our training, you will:
- Develop confidence in responding to grief and loss
- Learn appropriate language and communication skills
- Understand how children experience grief at different ages
- Know how to open safe and supportive conversations
- Recognise when a child may need additional support
- Learn how to signpost families to appropriate services
The Impact
By training frontline professionals, we strengthen the capacity of:
- Schools
- Early years settings
- Community organisations
- Primary care services
- Family support services
Together, we ensure that every child and young person is met with:
- Empathy
- Understanding
- A trusted adult—when they need it most