Teaching for Life

The Teaching for Life project aimed to explore the needs of teachers in relation to children with life limiting or life threatening conditions. Teachers were well aware of the medical, emotional and social needs of both the child and the other children and adults that surround that child, as well as the importance of the physical atributes of the building and the culture of the school. They wanted more information, guidance and support. Teachers need emotional support for themselves if they are to be able to contain their own anxieties and to be able to support others. In turn they need to be supported by a whole school approach to emotional health and wellbeing, which includes addressing bullying and inclusion. Collaboration between themselves and inter-professional health and social care agencies needs to work more effectively.