INVERCLYDE Council and its Health and Social Care Partnership has become the first local authority in Scotland to receive the National Bereavement Charter for Scotland.

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 and has been given as recognition of the authority’s work to support its staff.

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

To qualify to display the charter mark, the council agreed to meet at least three of a five-point criteria moving forward.

The plan will see all staff informed that their organisation is endorsing the charter and they will be given the opportunity to watch an animation prepared by the charter.

Senior management has adopted and implemented a bereavement policy for the organisation, which will develop and display a workplace bereavement charter.

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 also provided for line managers and an animated video promoting the charter was shared among staff groups.

Depute leader of the council, Councillor Natasha McGuire says that achieving the charter is a huge achievement for the body and hopes that it gives the council the right frameworks to move forward.

She 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.”