Young Carers at Thomas A Becket Junior School

Who are Young Carers?

A young carer is a young person under the age of 18 whose life is affected by the care needs of another person, who may have any disability or long-term illness.

Why are there concerns about Young Carers?

• Around one in 20 young carers miss school because of their caring responsibilities
• Significantly lower educational attainment at GCSE level
• More likely than the national average to be NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) between the ages of 16 – 19
• Young carers need extra support but are ‘hidden’ and so are less likely to find the support they need
• A quarter said they were bullied at school because of their caring role
• Only half had received additional support from a member of school staff.

What can we do to support our Young Carers?

Our named member of staff with responsibility for young carers is Sandie Saunders (Assistant Headteacher – Inclusion); please contact her in confidence if you believe that your child is a young carer. We have a process to identify young carers in school and can then offer appropriate personalised support through our pastoral team of Learning Mentors to ensure that the young carer has the best possible outcomes.

Useful websites:

Information about supporting young carers;

www.westsussex.gov.uk/education-children-and-families/young-carers/

https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/our-work/supporting-young-carers

https://carers.org/