Council is first in Scotland to achieve Bereavement Charter status

Inverclyde Council and Inverclyde HSCP has become the first local authority in Scotland to receive the National Bereavement Charter for Scotland.

The charter was given as recognition of the authority’s work to support its staff through bereavement.

The charter was developed by a range of professionals and individuals with a set of statements to describe how best to support a person or group of people experiencing bereavement.

Staff from Inverclyde Council and Inverclyde HSCP worked with Compassionate Inverclyde to implement the Bereavement Charter for Scotland as the vision which will support all work across Inverclyde Council and Inverclyde HSCP.

A working group was formed with awareness raising sessions undertaken to tie in with Demystifying Death Week 2023, including an event at the Beacon Arts Centre. Bereavement training was provided for line managers and an animated video promoting the charter was shared among staff groups.

To qualify to display the Charter Mark, Inverclyde Council agreed to meet the following three out of five criteria.

  • All staff are informed that their organisation is endorsing the Bereavement Charter and given an opportunity to watch the Charter animation (linked above)
  • Senior Management has adopted and implemented a Bereavement Policy for the organisation.
  • The organisation will develop and display a workplace bereavement charter.

Depute leader of the council, Councillor Natasha McGuire said: “Achieving this charter is a huge achievement and was driven by the determination of our staff so I would like to take the time to thank them for their efforts.

“Bereavement is sadly something which will affect us all and we want to support all of employees going through such a difficult time.

“The charter mark gives managers a framework to help their staff and there is support for them to support their employees.

“As well as being the largest employer in Inverclyde, we strive to be a supportive employer and want our staff to know we are there for them in one of their saddest times.”

For more information on Inverclyde Counci's Bereavement Charter and the National Bereavement Charter for Scotland, click on the links on this page.