Young Carers
Who are Young Carers?
A useful reference site run by the Princess Royal Trust for Carers can be found at:
The following definition and comments are offered:
Young carers are children who look after someone in their family who has an illness, a disability, a mental health problem or a substance misuse problem. Young carers take on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult.
The caring can involve lots of physical care such as personal care for a parent, giving medication, helping someone get up, get dressed or to get around. Or it could mean providing emotional support for someone who has a mental health problem or substance addiction. In addition, many young carers are also responsible for looking after younger brothers and sisters and all or most of the household chores.
Identification of young carers can be difficult because of lack of communication between referral bodies or because young carers and their families do not want to be identified.
Schools are not currently required to collate data on children and young people with caring responsibilities.
Why should we pay particular attention to Young Carers?
Young Carers are at risk of social isolation and bullying, under-achievement, absenteeism from school, and physical and mental ill health. Their caring role might mean they need support.
What signs might suggest a Young Carer?
A poll commissioned by the Princess Royal Trust for Carers found that teachers are a main source of information and advice for young people. But most young carers are not known by their teachers, so may be in danger of being labelled as 'lazy', 'disruptive', or 'truants'.
Some of the following signs could indicate that a pupil is a young carer:
- Young carers often miss school for one to two days at a time
- They may have notes from parents who want them to stay at home
- They may fail to complete homework regularly or homework may be rushed
- Young carers are often described as quiet, withdrawn or mature
- Many are bullied and find it easier to mix with adults than their peers
- Young carers may have parents who are wary or defensive when you try to contact them, or they may not attend parents' evenings
- They may have difficulty taking part in extra-curricular activities
- They may underachieve or not perform to their best
- They may be worried or distracted when they are at school
- They may leave school to use the phone or insist on keeping their mobile on
- Their performance at school may be erratic (Teachernet Archive)
How can teachers and schools help?
The following link to the Teachernet site provides information:
The National Strategy for Young Carers recognises schools as playing a key role in identifying young carers but Local Authorities, schools and teachers are often unaware of issues related to caring.
Community Care Assessors can only let schools know about Young Carers with consent. There is often a lack of communication between Adult and Child Social Services.
How can teachers help?
Teachers can find out where their nearest young carers' project is and suggest that the young carer gets in touch (see Contact Us link, top right). Projects are listed by region on the Princess Royal Trust for Carers and Children's Society young carers' websites.