By Lucy Caulkett

A new report in Leeds claims that families who suffer the sudden death of a child in Leeds are being failed.

The report claims there is a huge gap in support for bereaved parents, according to research commissioned by a charity founded in memory of a two-year-old from Leeds who died suddenly.

News of the report was passed to the eye of media.com by a member of Leeds city council, who wants to see something urgent done.

Elliot’s Footprint, which was set up following the death of Elliot Kerslake in 2013, has this week launched a petition calling for Government action over inadequate help for families. Children who die in their sleep or who die for any strange reasons often leave the family in tartars, emotionally and psychologically. They usually need a lot counseling and support to continue life without the painful scars that come from losing a baby due to no fault or actions of their own.

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A Mothers Loss

Some mothers end up feeling worthless or consider the loss, a punitive measure for some offence they committed even where there is no offence worthy of note they can think of. The experience of sudden death of a child can be very demoralizing and lead to depression.

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84% of the professionals surveyed thought that child bereavement support in Leeds was ineffective, with over half of experts not even aware who was running the services available. That’s shameful, because the sudden death of a child is not actually that of an rare occurrence. It is not a common one either, but the sudden death of a child can happen to anyone. It is random, and has caught many people unawares. The fact that not very many families have experienced the sudden death of a child , increases the probability of dismissal of one of the most sensitive but under attended issues. It shouldn’t be dismissed, that is why the charity was set up in the first place.

Sorrow

Sorrow is a very difficult thing to cope with, the strains and potential consequence of which is increasingly heightened following the loss of a little child. The government with all its challenges may not have looked into the issue of bereavement, though a broad thinking government may be expected to have something tangible in place for families who suffer the sudden death of a child. The official ruling is that it is not enough, and families who suffer the death of a child are being failed, at least in Leeds, and probably in many parts of the country too.

Hopefully, Theresa May’s government will address this, and to be fair, May has not had enough time to address everything. Her government is new, and she has the challenging issue of Brexit to thoroughly overcome, alongside several other issues. Delegated duty will come in handy here, but Theresa May should be allowed tome to get round these things

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