As a Suicide Bereavement Practitioner, you will provide timely, compassionate support to people, families, and communities affected by suicide. You will be a first point of reassurance, reaching out soon after referral to offer guidance and let people know they are not alone. Working alongside individuals, you will carry out holistic assessments and co-create personalised support and safety plans that reflect their needs, hopes, and goals. You will provide one-to-one emotional support, create safe spaces for grief and reflection, and help people develop coping strategies and rebuild resilience at their own pace.
The role also involves offering practical guidancestanding beside people as they navigate processes such as funeral arrangements, inquests, or conversations with employers, police, or the media. You will facilitate group and peer support, both in person and online, helping reduce isolation and strengthen community connections. You will remain attentive to changing needs, identifying and responding to risks, and making timely referrals to crisis or clinical services where necessary. By making warm referrals, you will ensure people are connected to wider sources of support such as talking therapies, housing advice, or trauma services.
Collaboration is central to this role: you will work closely with coroners, police, NHS trusts, schools, funeral directors, and local authorities to build a seamless network of care. You will also play a part in raising awareness of suicide bereavement support in communities and partner organisations, ensuring that people know help is available. Finally, you will contribute to service learning and improvement through accurate record-keeping, outcome monitoring, and sharing insights that shape future care. This is a role that makes a real difference.
By providing compassionate, person-centred support, you will not only help individuals through their grief but also strengthen the wider community response to suicidehelping to create a place where people are recognised, valued, and supported.