Young Carers

 

Caldicot School is aware that some students are young carers and we wish to make every effort to ensure that they are well-supported in school. We work effectively with the Carers Trust whose representatives assist us in providing support to our students who are young carers. The Carers Trust provides the following definition of a young carer

“A young carer is someone under 18 who is caring unpaid for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has mental health or addiction problems. They often take on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult. Research suggests there are at least 800,000 young carers in the UK but many do not realise they are a young carer.”

The school’s main contact for Young Carers is Miss Toni Howells. If you think your child might be a young carer, or could be affected by any of the issues highlighted above, please let us know by completing and returning this form in a sealed envelope addressed to Miss Toni Howells. If you have any questions you may also contact [email protected] or call 01291 426436.

What is a Young Carer?

Young-Carer-Leaflet.pdf

A young carer is someone aged 25 and under who cares for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, cannot cope without their support. Older young carers are also known as young adult carers and they may have different support needs to younger carers.

What might a young carer do?

• Practical tasks, like cooking, housework and shopping;
• Physical care, such as helping someone out of bed;
• Emotional support, including talking to someone who is distressed;
• Personal care, such as helping someone dress;
• Managing the family budget and collecting prescriptions;
• Helping to give medicine;
• Helping someone communicate; and
• Looking after brothers and sisters.

How many young carers are there?

• The 2011 Census identified 177,918 young carers in England and Wales. One in eight of those were aged under eight;
• Scottish Government recognises that there are at least 29,000 young carers in Scotland; and
• This is widely believed to be the tip of the iceberg, with some estimates suggesting that as many as one in five schoolchildren are young carers (University of Nottingham 2018), with this number increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Being a young carer can have a big impact on the things that are important to growing up

• Young carers are already likely to have significantly lower educational attainment than their peers;

• With the added complications of COVID-19, young carers have missed out on even more school than before and urgent support is needed if they are not to be left behind their peers;

• Caring can also be an isolating experience but having the right support in place can give young carers a better chance  of succeeding in all parts of their lives.

Contacts

Rob Downs - Strategic Lead for Young Carers

Toni Howells - Operational Lead for Young Carers

Sarah Hawkins - Safeguarding Governor (Including Young Carers)

Additional support

Health-and-Wellbeing-Support.pptx