What Are Rainbows Peer Support Groups? 

Rainbows groups are gentle, structured peer-support programmes delivered over nine consecutive weeks by trained Rainbows Facilitators. 

What children/young people experience in a group 

• A safe space with other children of a similar age and experience 

• Opportunities to listen to others and share when they feel ready 

• A sense of “I’m not the only one” and “We are not the only family” 

• Support to understand and express feelings such as sadness, anger, confusion, or guilt 

• Activities that strengthen coping skills and emotional wellbeing 

• Reduced feelings of isolation and increased self-confidence 

• A sense of belonging and understanding 

Groups are not counselling or therapy—they are Level 2 earlyintervention listening support, focused on emotional expression, connection and coping. 

Group Structure 

• Children must be 7 years or older 

• No group includes a child more than two years older than the youngest member 

• Groups for bereavement and parental separation are never mixed 

• Multiple programme levels exist for different ages and developmental stages 

• Each child receives a confidential journal, shredded after the programme (unless teens choose to keep theirs) 

Bereavement Groups 

Bereavement groups support children and young people after the death of someone special in their lives. 
Children are supported to: 

• Talk about the person who died—using their name, sharing memories 

• Explore emotions connected to grief 

• Learn coping strategies 

• Feel connection with others who have also experienced loss 

Parental Separation Groups 

These groups support children adjusting to family change due to separation, divorce or relationship breakdown. 
Children explore: 

• Their family as it is now—those they live with and those they don’t 

• Time with Mam / Time with Dad (no discussion of access/custody terms) 

• What has changed and what remains the same 

• Their feelings and questions 

• Ways to cope with transitions 

How to Enrol Your Child 

1. Self-Referral

Parents/guardians can contact a local Rainbows Registered Centre directly. See the Rainbows Centres page on our website.

2. School-Based Enrolment

Schools offering Rainbows will notify parents when a group is forming. 
You may be invited to complete an Expression of Interest form.

3. Coordinator Follow-Up

A Rainbows Coordinator will: 

• Contact both parents/guardians (where possible) 

• Explain how the programme works 

• Provide the Enrolment Form 

• Confirm group dates, times and location 

Consent Requirement 

Rainbows Ireland follows the HSE National Consent Policy, seeking consent from both parents/legal guardians where it is in the best interests of the child. Some Rainbows Centres will seek the consent of one parent/legal guardian and inform the other; while others will require consent from both parents/guardians for a child to attend. 
Rainbows cannot enter into parental disputes related to consent or enrolment information. 

For questions, email ask@rainbowsireland.ie  

Child Safeguarding 

Rainbows Ireland is fully committed to child safety and follows Children First: National Guidelines for Child Protection and Welfare (2017). 

Important Safeguarding Message 

If a child discloses: 

• That they are being harmed 

• That they may harm themselves 

• That they may harm someone else 

Facilitators must follow Child Protection procedures. 
Parents will be informed unless doing so places the child at further risk. 

Rainbows facilitators do not take notes, analyse, diagnose or write reports—except in safeguarding situations. 

You may contact the Rainbows Ireland CEO, our Designated Person for Child Protection, with any safeguarding queries. Every Rainbows Centre follows their own Child Safe Guarding Policy and will have a Designated Liaison Person in place in their school/organisation. 

Testimonials 

What Parents Say 

Parents participating in bereavement and parental separation workshops shared: 

• “It’s great for children to see they are not alone.” 

• “Incredibly valuable and supportive.” 

• “I felt very alone… now I know I’m not.” 

• “Reassuring, practical and fact-based.” 

• “Gave me hope for the future.” 

What Children Say 

Following their 9-week group, children shared: 

• “My emotions are like tides — they come and go.” 

• “It’s good to know I’m not the only one.” 

• “I made new friends and learned coping skills.” 

• “Talking helped me.” 

• “I liked talking about my dad… and drawing in my book.” 

• “Knowing others’ parents are separated helped me.” 

Feedback from Schools 

Teachers report: 

• “The children engaged well and looked forward to it.” 

• “We feel so lucky to have had this support — the children benefited enormously.”