For education
There are carers in every school, every class, every university. This is why we need to start conversations about caring earlier, to break down stigma about current or future caring, raise awareness of the role of carers and create an environment where carers are connected to help and support. This is vital to ensure carers have the same opportunity to thrive in school and go to college or university if they want to.
Schools, colleges and universities have a crucial role to play in identifying children, young people and adults with caring responsibilities. They can recognise the impact caring can have on their studies, as well as their personal lives. They can take action to ensure carers get the help they need to cope with what can be an intense additional pressure
Here are some practical ways to support carers:
- Schools can sign up to the Young Carers Challenge which sets out five practical steps you can take to improve identification and support for pupils who are young carers so their learning and studies are not affected. The Young Carers in Schools programme is free and a good place to start for schools in England looking for resources to help them with this.
- Schools, colleges and universities can sign up to the Young Carers Covenant and show their support for a fair future for young carers and young adult carers.
- Arrange carer awareness training for staff so that they know who carers are and what support is available. This includes support for pupils, but also staff who are carers. Raising awareness with other students is also really important.
- Find out who your local carers support organisation is and how to refer carers for an assessment and support so you can let students, their families and staff can access support should they need it.
- Hold an assembly during Carers Week on caring or share information via your school website/social media.
Reference:
* Baowen Xue, Rebecca E. Lacey, Giorgio Di Gessa, Anne McMunn, 2023, Does providing informal care in young adulthood impact educational attainment and employment in the UK?
Good practice
There is good practice in how best to support young carers and young adult carers with their education, taking place in schools, colleges, and universities across the country. Here's a couple of great examples we wanted to share with you:
Primary school - St Paul’s CoE Primary School, Southwark, London
"St Paul’s fosters a culture where young carers are identified, valued, and supported. Pupils can be identified through parent or peer referral, self-referral at drop-in sessions, or via a confidential post box in the library. Fortnightly lunch clubs, led by the Head of School and SENCO trainee, offer a safe space for carers to connect and seek support.
Young carers also lead termly collective worships and are celebrated on Young Carers Action Day, which includes parent engagement and guest speakers. Staff receive regular CPD, and key updates are shared with parents and governors to ensure a whole-school approach.
Partnership with IMAGO Young Carers Service further strengthens the school’s offer, providing workshops, off-site activities, and opportunities for peer bonding outside of the school environment. Pupils are encouraged to express their identity, recently sending contributing recipes to the Young Carers Journal and composing a song about their experiences.
On 31st March 2024, St Paul’s CofE Primary School received the Young Carers in School Award from The Children’s Society and Carers Trust, recognising its commitment to supporting young carers. This award reflects St Paul’s inclusive ethos and dedication to early intervention, ensuring young carers thrive academically, socially, and emotionally."
Further education - Ayrshire College
“Ayrshire College has three main campuses across Ayrshire, and each provides support services for student carers, beginning at application stage. There is a question on the application form asking if the applicant identifies as an unpaid carer, and if the applicant ticks 'yes', a member of the Inclusive Learning team will meet with them to discuss their support needs and agree a Personal Learning Support Plan. If a student has not yet self-identified as a carer, the team regularly contacts all students reminding them of the support they can access, and College staff can also make referrals.
Ayrshire College developed a Student Carers Information pack, which has a range of information including funding and wellbeing support for student carers. It also provides the contact information of the Student Carer named contact on each campus.
Despite the college campuses being situated across three different local authority areas, they are linked with local carers services in each area. In South Ayrshire, for example, the College and local service meet monthly to review all student carers attending any of the three campuses to see if additional support is required, working collaboratively to address any challenges or issues the student carer may be facing.”
Caring About Equality
