What is a Young Carer?

Young carers are children and young people under 18 years old who provide unpaid care to a family member who is physically or mentally ill, disabled or misuses substances.
The tasks and level of caring undertaken by young carers can vary according to the nature of the illness or disability, the level and frequency of need for care and the structure of the family as a whole.

A young carer may undertake some or all of the following:

• Practical tasks such as cooking, housework, shopping

• Physical care such as lifting, helping up the stairs and physiotherapy

• Personal Care such as dressing, washing and helping someone go to the toilet

• Emotional support such as listening, calming someone and being present

• Household management such as paying the bills, managing finances and collecting benefits

• Looking after siblings such as putting to be and walking to school

• Interpreting for parents with hearing or speech impediments or English as an additional language

• Administering medication such as insulin needles and preparing daily tablets.

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Caring can involve physical or emotional care, or taking responsibility for someone’s safety or well-being. The level of responsibility assumed by a young carer is often inappropriate to their age and at a level beyond simply helping out with jobs at home, which is a normal part of growing up.

Unity Primary Academy pledges to:

• Identify young carers within school.

• Have members of staff with special responsibility for Young Carers

• Teach pupils about the challenges faced by young carers

• Put young carers in touch with the local Young Carer’s support services

• Provide up-to-date contact information for support services

• Respect the rights of young carers’ privacy and be sensitive to confidentiality within the classroom

• Be flexible in our approach to meeting young carers’ needs

• Provide support and advice to parents.

• Signpost families to services that can provide help and support.

If you think that your child, or a child you know of, may be a young carer, please contact the school and ask to speak to Mrs. Crowther, who is our young carers Champion.