It is a good idea to talk to your child’s school about your child being a young carer. If they understand a little more about what is going on at home, your child will be able to access the school’s support and more widely the support that they are entitled to from their local authority. 

Young carers can experience challenges in school. Caring may affect their attendance and it may be challenging for them to manage school life alongside a caring role. Learning may be impacted by tiredness, young carers may be experiencing physical pain and caring can negatively impact children’s mental health. Studies have also shown that young carers are at risk of being victims of bullying.

In School Support 

Support for young carers varies from school to school. In school support for young carers could involve: 

• a regular support group or drop in session
• a trusted adult for young carers to speak to if they are having issues
• awareness raising sessions, such as assemblies to help young carers to identify themselves
• means by which young carers can make staff aware of their situation (such as a Young Carers’ passport)

North Tyneside schools should have staff members who have completed North Tyneside’s Young Carer training (available via The Learning Pool) so that Young Carers’ Needs Assessments can be offered. It is good practice for schools to allocate a staff member to manage issues relating to young carers, such as keeping an up to date centralised list of young carers’ in school and managing a diary of review dates.

If you are unsure about who to talk to, you can ask to talk to the Young Carers’ Lead, or a member of their pastoral staff.