Young Carers
Who are Young Carers?
A young carer is a person under 18 who provides or intends to provide care for another person. They often take on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult.
‘A young carer becomes vulnerable when their caring roles risks impacting upon their emotional or physical wellbeing and their prospects in education and life’ (Care Act Statutory Guidance, 2014).
Our school's Young Carer contact is Mr Foster. If you are a child and think you could be a young carer, or you are a parent and you think your child is a young carer, please speak to Mr Foster for more information on the support available on 0161 223 0053.
Research shows that:
- 27% of young carers (aged 11–15) miss school or experience educational difficulties (40% where children care for a relative with drug or alcohol problems) (Dearden, C, Becker, S, 2004).
- A quarter of young carers said they were bullied at school because of their caring role (Sempik, J & Becker, S, 2013).
- They are more likely than the national average not to be in education, employment or training (NEET) between 16 and 19 (The Children’s Society, 2013).
- Although young carers need extra support, they are no more likely to find it from statutory agencies than other children (The Children’s Society, 2013).
- They have significantly lower educational attainment at GCSE level – the difference between nine Cs and nine Ds (The Children’s Society, 2013).
Support at Aspinal:
- Drop in sessions with Mr Foster
- Daily wellbeing form to see support
- Funded breakfast and after-school club (limited places available)
- Funded after-school clubs (limited places available)
- Access to Family Support Worker if needed
- Help completing paperwork
- Space to complete homework if needed
- Subsidised educational visits
