We support young carers in our school. Would you like to know more?

Young carers are children and young people under the age of 18 who help to look after a family member who is disabled, physically or mentally ill, or has a substance misuse problem.

A young person may be a young carer for a number of different reasons and who they care for and the support they provide is unique to their family situation. Care may be given to mum or dad, brother or sister, or even a grandparent and could include practical and physical support. This could be things like helping around the house, helping prepare dinner, helping someone get out of bed in the morning or helping to look after a sibling.

Young carers may also help to provide emotional support to a family member, for example, talking things through, listening or helping a family member feel calm and safe We know that children and young people are often very proud of being a young carer; they learn new skills, gain independence and feel close to their family. We also know that young carers face some challenges. Young carers tell us they don’t always have time to themselves or can’t always go out as a family together. We know sometimes young carers worry about the family member they care for when they are in school.

Young carers tell us that it can be helpful to have extra support in school and that it can make a real difference if somebody in school understands their caring role. All our Teaching staff and TA’s have had Whole School Training about Young Carers.

 Does your young person help to look after someone in your family?

It might be someone who has a disability or is not well either physically or mentally. Or maybe they misuse drugs or alcohol. We work alongside Centre 33 Young Carers Project who provide a range of help and support to young carers across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough.

Our Young Carer’s Champion is: Mrs Ros Stearne