Community Social Workers can avail of up-to-date information
and advice on the procedures required and practical guidelines
to assist them in supporting the family involved by phoning
the
'Information Hotline for Professionals'
at
087-423777
(available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
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- Social Workers should ensure that they are fully aware of the facts,
as well as the myths, about SIDS. ISIDA's training video for professionals
can assist in this area. Be aware of the up-to-date information on
SIDS and the procedures currently in practice.
- When notification of a sudden infant death in your area is received,
take the initiative to visit the parents as soon as possible. If the
family are unknown to you, discuss the appropriateness of a Social
Worker's visit to the family at this time with the Public Health Nurse
and Family Doctor.
- Always refer to the child by his/her name and acknowledge the reality
of the child's death to the family.
- You may be called upon to act as a coordinator between the hospital
and the community. Some parents may also need assistance in contacting
members of their family or friends. Parents may have little financial
resources available to them to cover the funeral and burial costs.
Ensure that the necessary resources are mobilised for them.
- Ensure that parents have a copy of ISIDA's booklet 'A Precious
Past, A Hopeful Future' (available from ISIDA) and that they are
aware of ISIDA's support services.
- Reassure the family thet the resolution of grief may take a long
time. Follow up with visits for a reasonable period. It is important
that you acknowledge that parents may need the opportunity to grieve
both together and seperately in addition to grieving their loss as
a family. Often you may be faced with intense emotions and it is important
to be able to sit and enable the family to cry or otherwise express
these emotions in your presence.
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- Parents will value your ongoing support throughout the grieving
period and may particularly appreciate acknowledgement of their child's
birthday and anniversary.
- Children are always affected by a death in the family and need special
care and attention. If contact is made with the family prior to the
funeral, encourage them not to exclude their children from the funeral
ritual. Let parents know about common grief reactions in children
which may include behavioural changes, regression panic anxiety, aggression,
guilt and fear. Children may even feel frightened or guilty that their
jealous thoughts caused their brother or sister to die.
- Other family members, grandparents, uncles, aunts and so on will
also experience a sense of loss. While they may be a source of support
to the family, they may also be in need of your support.
- Ensure that the school teachers of any siblings are aware of the
child's death and liaise closely with them.
- Ensure that you are kept informed of the results of the post-mortem
and any information that the parents are given. Liaise with the Hospital
Consultant, Family Doctor and Public Health Nurse to ensure a co-ordinated
plan of support/visits to the family.
Remember that the sudden death of an infant or young child normally
affects all who come into contact with it. If you feel that
you would like to talk to someone, ISIDA provides a confidential
Nationwide Helpline 1800 391 391
where you can contact someone who understands and is willing
to listen - you do not have to be a parent or relative.
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