Young carers – who are they and what do they do?

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A young carer is someone under the age of 18 who assists in the care or support of someone in their family or a friend who has:

• a disability

• illness or long term health condition

• a mental health condition

• misuses drugs or alcohol.

The term “young carer” does not apply to the everyday and occasional help around the home that may often be expected of or given by children in families.

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What might a young carer do? Daily tasks which can include

• practical tasks such as cooking, housework and shopping

• physical care such as helping someone out of bed

• emotional support

• personal care such as helping someone to dress

• managing the family budget

• helping to give medications

• looking after brothers and sisters.

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School Information

 

Our Young Carer Champions are:

responsible for day-to-day implementation of support for young carers.

 

Our Senior Leadership Lead is:

responsible for leading and championing the school’s provision for young carers.

 

Act Fast take a whole school approach to identifying and supporting young carers, and our school staff have the knowledge and confidence to identify and support pupils with caring responsibilities.

 

Act Fast  have a positive whole school ethos where young carers and their families are respected and valued by pupils, staff and the wider school community to ensure they feel safe and confident to access support.

 

A Student/pupil with caring responsibilities may self-identify to any member of staff whom they feel they can talk to, share their worries and concerns.

 

All School staff will respect young carers information. This will help ensure that information is only shared with the appropriate consent and with a view to guaranteeing a student/pupil does not need to repeat their story several times. All school staff know not to discuss a pupil’s caring role in front of their peers.

 

We aim to:

•  promote positive images and information about disability, illness and young carers.

• Give staff the information they need to identify young carers. 

• Consult and listen to young carers, ensuring they have time and space to talk. 

• Embed young carers in existing school systems, monitoring and tracking their attendance, attainment and wellbeing. 

• Support and signpost young carers and their families.

• Link in with North Lincolnshire Young Carers Team to provide specialist knowledge and support for pupils/staff.

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What are young carers’ rights? 

Under the Children and Families Act 2014, all young carers under the age of 18 have a right to an assessment from the local authority, regardless of who they care for, what type of care they provide, or how often they provide care.

 

The assessment needs to consider: 

● Whether it is appropriate for the young carer to provide care. 

● The young carer’s needs for support, and their other needs and wishes. 

● If any of the young carer’s needs for support could be prevented by providing services to the person who is cared for, or another member of the young carer’s family. Under the Care Act 2014, young carers are entitled to a transition assessment to consider the support young carers may need to prepare for adulthood, and to raise and fulfil their aspirations. The assessment should take place well before the young carer is 18 so there is time to discuss and implement the required support. The responsibilities are placed on the Local Authority, but other services including schools need to play a role in identifying young carers and coordinating support for whole families.