Lincolnshire children face loss of grief counselling service after NHS funding ends

A Lincolnshire charity that provides grief counselling for children is warning its service could end within months after losing NHS funding.

The Lincolnshire Centre for Grief and Loss (LCGL), based at Lincoln’s Carlton Centre, supports people affected by death, divorce and terminal illness.

While its adult counselling will continue, its work with children is at risk following the withdrawal of NHS funding.

The Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) has provided temporary funding for the charity’s children’s service since 2022 but says it can no longer continue due to financial pressures.

Clare Reynolds, a clinical supervisor at LCGL, says children across Lincolnshire could be left without specialist help at the most difficult moments of their lives.

“The NHS says there are other options available, but that’s not what schools are telling us.”

She says schools are deeply concerned about losing a service they rely on during times of crisis.

“They are devastated that we might have to stop. We are the only service that goes directly into schools, including after the death of a student or staff member.”

Last year, the charity delivered more than 1,000 free counselling sessions to children across the county and employs nine qualified counsellors.

Clare says ending the service could increase pressure elsewhere in the health system.

“It doesn’t make sense financially either, as it will put more strain on the NHS’s services. We can do a lower-level intervention before grief has escalated into mental health problems.”

The charity is now hoping LPFT will reconsider or that alternative funding could be found through local businesses.

LPFT says other support options remain available. Eve Baird, its chief operating officer, says funding for the service was always temporary.

“After previous funding from Lincolnshire County Council came to an end three years ago, LPFT was able to use some non-recurrent funding it had received to support the service on a temporary basis, as part of work to address an increase in demand following the pandemic.”

“Like all NHS trusts, LPFT is trying to address increasing financial pressures on services and look at how we can continue to work within the resources we have available to meet need and make best use of taxpayers’ money.”

“We also have a 24/7 advice and self-referral line through Here4You Lincolnshire that can offer advice and signposting to young people, their families and carers. People can call for free 24/7 on 0800 234 6342.”

Feedback on the decision can be submitted through a survey on LPFT’s website until January 30.