EPSS Critical Incident Support Service Newsletter - April 2026
The Critical Incident Support Service provides support in a Critical Incident, consultation and advice about bereavement as well as training.
Welcome to the Summer newsletter for the Critical Incident Support Service, we would like to update you on recent developments and let you know about training and support that we offer as well as important updates that may be of interest.
The Critical incident team provide emotional support, practical advice and containment to promote the well-being of the school community in times of crises, and to empower everyone in building resilience. We use evidence-based approaches to offer a quick response in a compassionate and empathic manner, helping schools to recover using the five key principles of safe, calm, connected, in control and hopeful (Hobfall et al, 2017). (UK Trauma Council, Critical incidents in educational communities, 2023)
The Critical Incident Team is embedded in Norfolk Educational Psychology Support Service. The team is multi disciplinary with contributions from colleagues across different parts of Children's Services. Most staff work in education with a representation from professions such as educational psychologists, specialist teachers, early years professionals, social workers and others. Members of the team join the Leads if in-setting support is needed and are an invaluable part of our service.
The team is led by Dr Bianca Finger Berry and Cherie Pointon, who share the role of Critical Incident Specialist Leads.
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Depending on the circumstances, we can offer support and guidance over the phone/MS Teams or come into school to provide support, share resources, and template letters as well as signpost to other agencies and professionals.
The Critical Incident Specialist Leads also offer consultations in relation bereavement and recent trauma, providing research-based support and advice, as well as working closely with Norfolk independent and statutory services.
Summer Updates
Quotes from schools and settings that we have supported recently
The service was professional and excellent. Thank you
They are incredibly quick to respond to any request for help and Bianca's calm, compassionate and incredibly knowledgeable and experienced support has helped me feel better prepared to manage a range of serious incidents with significant wide ranging impact on the school community, within my role as a Head Teacher.
A clear process to follow to add structure during challenging situations to ensure clarity of communication between key stakeholders.
The wider offer
In addition to the comprehensive support, guidance and signposting that we provide to LA schools and subscribing academies, the Critical incident and Specialist Lead Officers are providing consultations for staff requesting advice on how to best support a child who has experienced bereavement or recent trauma or has a serious illness. Consultations will be provided as part of the SEND and Inclusion Support Model (SISM) to all schools and academies and would usually be booked following a TAS (Team Around the School). Consultations will take place on MS teams on a Friday morning (some flexibility possible) and will last about 30 minutes. Consent from parents/carers should be sought in advance and requests can be made by emailing [email protected] with an outline of the issues. A brief record will be taken and shared with the school.
Training available
Training on 'Supporting bereaved children in school communities' is provided to support staff develop their competence and confidence. Also offered is training for Governors, next date 1st June. You will find the latest courses here:
Critical Incident Training courses
Peer group supervision sessions for staff who are supporting / have supported pupils through bereavement are proving to be popular. There are two time slots available each Half term. Please email [email protected] if you are interested in joining these.
Spotlight on Support Organisations
Each term highlights an organisation that may be of interest to you. This is not an endorsement of individual organisations - but we are simply making you aware of their services. This term we would like to focus on Lennox Children's Cancer Fund who have been supporting children with cancer and their families across the UK for more than 30 years.
We work closely with schools and staff to provide guidance on supporting a child during treatment, helping with reintegration, communicating with pupils and parents, and responding to the emotional needs of classmates, siblings, and staff. We also offer free sessions for schools, even when no child is currently unwell, to build staff confidence, increase understanding of childhood cancer, and help schools feel prepared should support ever be needed. Alongside our work with schools, we provide emotional support, practical assistance, care grants, and respite for families across the UK, including in Norfolk, and we continue to offer support long after treatment has finished. If your school would benefit from advice, training, or support, we are here to help. To find out more, visit www.lennoxccf.org.uk or contact [email protected]. Together, we can ensure no child, family, or school community faces childhood cancer alone. |
Please do get in touch with us if you would like to know more about any of the topics mentioned in this newsletter, or if you would like to have further information about the Critical Incident Service.
Email: [email protected] You can also find out more about our service and access resources (if you subscribe to our service) on our website:
