Rainbows Ireland offers professional workshops for those working with children and young people in education, early years, social care and family support settings.
These workshops explore grief, loss and parental separation and provide practical approaches to help professionals create supportive and nurturing environments.
Grief and Loss in the Classroom – Primary Schools – Click Here to book.
Tuesday, 23 November 2026
9.30am–12.30pm
Topics Covered:
- Setting the context and exploring modern-day theory underpinning the workshop
- Exploring how children and young people experience grief, loss and parental separation
- Recognising developmental differences in how grief and loss presents
- Understanding what the impact of grief, loss and parental separation can look and feel like in the classroom
- Understanding the impact of grief, loss and parental separation at different ages and developmental levels
- Creating a supportive and nurturing environment
- Teachers as a key supportive role
- Exploring a range of approaches that can be helpful and suited to both a whole-class environment and an individual child
- When and how to communicate sensitively with parents and guardians
- Effective signposting to further supports, including Rainbows Ireland
Grief and Loss in Secondary School – Click here to book.
Tuesday, 1 December 2026
9.30am–12.30pm
Topics Covered:
- Setting the context and exploring modern-day theory and research underpinning the workshop
- Building awareness, confidence and competence within a whole-school approach
- Embedding a grief- and loss-supportive school culture
- Creating supportive and nurturing school and classroom environments
- Teachers as a key supportive role within classrooms and school communities
- Increasing understanding of how grief and loss can impact teenagers’ emotional, social, academic and physical wellbeing at different ages and developmental levels
- Understanding what the impact of grief, loss and parental separation can look and feel like in the classroom and wider school community
- Recognising when further support may be needed
- Exploring a range of approaches and responses that can contribute to and strengthen a supportive school community
- Supporting staff wellbeing
- Strengthening links with parents and external services
- Effective signposting to further supports
Grief and Loss in Early Childhood – Click here to book.
Wednesday, 25 November 2026
2.00pm–4.30pm
Topics Covered:
- How babies and young children understand loss, separation and change
- Signs of grief in pre-verbal and early verbal children
- The importance of routine, attachment and secure relationships in early years settings
- Supporting emotional expression through play, stories, routines and sensory activities
- Communicating with children using simple, honest and developmentally appropriate language
- Partnering sensitively with parents and guardians
- Supporting transitions into and out of early years settings during times of family stress
- Creating emotionally safe environments for very young children
Grief and Loss in Front-Line Social Care/Family Support Settings – Click here to book.
Monday, 2 December 2026
9.30am–12.30pm
Topics Covered:
- Setting the context and exploring modern-day theory underpinning the workshop
- Exploring how children and young people experience grief, loss and parental separation
- Understanding the impact of grief, loss and parental separation at different ages and developmental levels
- Creating a supportive and nurturing response and environment
- Front-line staff as a key supportive role
- Exploring a range of approaches and resources that can be helpful
- Strengthening communication with parents and guardians around the impact of grief and loss
- Effective signposting to further supports, including Rainbows Ireland
Workshop Information
Cost: €30 per workshop
Maximum places: 30 participants per workshop
Further professional workshops will be added to this page as dates and topics are confirmed.
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Rainbows Professionals Training| Half Day and Full Day Workshops
Topic 1: Grief & Loss in Front Line Practice (0-12 years)
Topic 2: Grief & Loss in the Classroom (Primary School Teachers)
Topic 3: Grief & Loss in Second Level School Communities
Topic 4: Grief and Loss in Early Childhood (0-6 years)
Target Audience: Front line practitioners and teachers across education, health, community, early years, family support, residential or social care settings.
Workshop Content Note
While each workshop covers the same core themes and learning objectives, the content is tailored to reflect the specific context of participants.
- Early Childhood Workshops focus primarily on early years settings and the needs of children aged 0–6, with examples relevant to early years practitioners.
- Classroom-Based Workshops are centred on primary school environments and use school-based scenarios and examples.
- Second Level Workshops focus on the experiences and needs of older children and young people in post-primary settings, rather than younger age groups.
This approach ensures that all participants receive training that is relevant, practical and directly applicable to their work.
Overview:
Established in 1987, Rainbows Ireland provides evidence informed, Level 2 early intervention support (aligned with the National Practice Model/Care Pyramid) to children and young people aged 7–18 years who are experiencing bereavement and parental separation.
Rainbows peer support groups provide children of a similar age and loss experience a safe, nurturing and structured space where they can express feelings, and be supported to begin to adapt and adjust to their changed lives.
This level of support sits at a critical early point in a child’s journey—before difficulties escalate to clinical or specialist services, and at a stage where responsive, attuned adults can make the greatest difference.
With almost four decades of experience, Rainbows Ireland has become a trusted national resource for schools, community organisations, youth services and families.
Workforce Development Workshops offered by Rainbows Ireland aim to deepen understanding, raise awareness, and foster the skills, competence and confidence of front-line practitioners working to support children with life’s most difficult experiences —strengthening and enhancing what you do every day in the course of your work.
All workshops are currently delivered by Anne Staunton, of Rainbows Ireland, who brings over 20 years’ experience in bereavement and loss support, professional training, and the development of the Rainbows Peer Support.
Topics Covered:
- Build the context of bereavement and loss and how it applies in a variety of front-line settings.
- Key factors that impact on children’s grief, loss and family change
- How children grieve with a focus on Parental Separation and Bereavement.
- The importance of the language of grief, loss and change
- What grief, loss and family change can look and present like in various front-line settings.
- The significance of age and developmental level
- An in-depth exploration of key reactions and responses in front line settings and what to expect
- What front line practitioners can do – helpful strategies for a child impacted by grief and change, keeping the child at the centre of practice.
- The role, responsibility and boundary of front-line practitioners in relation to grief, loss and change across front line settings.
- When and how to connect with parents, guardians
Workshop Options & Fees
Full Day Workshop
Cost:€600 (in person – Greater Dublin area)
Group Size: Maximum 16 participants
- Tea/Coffee from 9:30am
- Workshop runs from 10:00am – 4:00pm
- Includes a 30-minute lunch break and two 15-minute tea/stretch breaks
The same rate and group size apply to online full-day workshops.
Half Day Workshop
Cost: €400 (in person – Greater Dublin area or online)
Group Size: Maximum 16 participants
- Tea/Coffee from 9:15am
- Workshop runs from 10:00am – 1:00pm
- Includes a 30-minute break
Workshop Terms & Conditions
- Travel Costs: For in-person workshops delivered outside of the Greater Dublin area, travel expenses will be charged in line with current Revenue guidelines.
- Payment Terms: An invoice will be issued upon confirmation of booking and must be paid in full at least one month in advance of the workshop date.
- Cancellation Policy: Cancellations made within four weeks of the scheduled workshop date are non-refundable. In such cases, Rainbows Ireland will make every reasonable effort to reschedule the training at a mutually agreed time.