#Chances4Children: Support for young carers returning to school

The Children’s Society and Carers Trust, who jointly run the Young Carers in Schools initiative, have produced a guide for school staff to enable them to help young carers. 

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It covers four main areas including how to identify and safeguard young carers; how to support attendance; how to encourage and improve attainment and how to increase their wellbeing.

The guidance comes at a time when many young carers are coming back to the classroom for the first time for six months due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Research by Carers Trust into the impact of the crisis on young carers found that 40 per cent of young carers aged 12 to 17 said their mental health was worse as a result of coronavirus and 66 per cent of young carers aged 12 to 17 felt more stressed as a result of the crisis.

Some 58 per cent of young carers aged 12 to 17 said they were caring on average for an extra 10 hours a week since the start of the pandemic.

In addition, young carers may also have faced longer periods of isolation, as the loved ones they care for were in high-risk categories for the virus, the charities said.

Helen Leadbitter, The Children’s Society lead for young carers, said: “We know for many young carers lockdown was a very lonely time, school was often seen as a place for them to have a break from caring roles and seek support from teachers and friends. 

“Others may be new to caring roles and with schools and other support groups closed these young people will have remained hidden with no one to reach out to for support. It is therefore vital teachers recognise the signs of a young carer and understand how best to support their needs.”

Laura Bennett, head of policy and external affairs at the Carers Trust, said: “Schools worked hard during lockdown to support their pupils, including young carers. As schools get back to full strength, these easy to use, free resources, will make a real difference to teachers and young carers. They will help schools identify young carers. And in doing that, they will also boost young carers’ attendance and attainment, which is at risk without the right support at school.” 

The guidance, which has been issued to schools via the Department for Education can also be found here. 

For more information visit: www.youngcarersinschools.com

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