Terling Church of England Primary School is committed to developing provision for young carers and their families. To demonstrate our commitment to our Young carers, our school is part of the Young Carers in Schools programme and is currently working towards the Bronze Award.
We will capture this commitment by widening our provision, building on the needs of the young people and better meet young carers’ needs by reviewing Terling Church of England School’s provision for young carers with a view to ultimately achieving best practice.
• The whole school is committed to meeting the needs of young carers so that they can attend and enjoy school in the same way as other children and achieve their potential.
• Appointing a designated Young Carers’ School Lead with responsibility for young carers and their families. Pupils and families will be made aware of the identity of this lead and how to contact them to access support.
• The school only shares information with professionals and agencies on a need to know basis in order to support pupils and their families.
Terling Church of England School will actively seek feedback and ideas from young carers and their families to shape and improve support.
• The school has an effective referral system and strong partnership in place with relevant external agencies, including referral to Young Carer agencies providing key workers who will work with young carers and families.
We will strive to achieve best practice for students and families in our school in order to provide them with the best chance of success in their future. If you think your child might be a young carer or could be affected by any of the issues we’ve highlighted, please contact Mrs Meares via the school office.
Your designated Young Carer leads in your school can help support with getting in contact with Essex County Council’s Young Carer team who designate key workers to help young carers and their families. They can work alongside schools to ensure enough is put in place to help young carers and all aspects of theirs and their family’s lives.
If you require more information visit:
https://youth.essex.gov.uk/young-people/young-carers/
Or email: young.carers@essex.gov.uk
Young carers are responsible for emotional, practical or physical care for a parent, sibling or other family member who has a physical disability, mental health issue or substance misuse issue.
The 2011 Census statistics revealed that there are just over 166,000 young carers in England, but research by the BBC reveals that this is just the tip of the iceberg. The true figure could be closer to 700,000 young carers in England, equivalent to one in 12 school children many of whom are unrecognised and unsupported.
Research carried out by Carers Trust and The Children's Society shows that, on average, young carers miss or cut short 48 school days a year and often have lower levels of self-confidence, mental wellbeing and significantly lower educational attainment at GCSE level, because of their caring role. Ofsted's Common Inspection Framework states that inspectors will look at how well schools support young carers. While some schools are doing this really well, others struggle and this causes real problems for young carers.
To help schools support young carers, the programme offers a step-by-step guide for leaders, teachers and non-teaching staff, with practical tools designed to make it as easy as possible for schools. Staff can also receive training through webinars and events and the programme also features a newsletter each term highlighting relevant policy developments, spotlighting good practice and giving updates on the programme’s successes.
The programme is open to all schools in England and to sign up schools just need to visit www.youngcarersinschools.com
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