Young Carers in Schools:
A free initiative that makes it as easy as possible for schools to support young carers, and awards good practice

Run jointly by Carers Trust and The Children’s Society, the Young Carers in Schools (YCiS) programme works with schools across England to share good practice, provide relevant tools and training, and celebrate the great outcomes many schools achieve for young carers.

Why take part?

The Young Carers in Schools programme enables schools to:

  • Gain national recognition for raising outcomes for young carers through the Young Carers in Schools Award.
  • Identify manageable steps to improve educational outcomes for this vulnerable pupil group – the programme breaks down the actions schools can take so that your school can prioritise what to do next.
  • Access additional support including tools, templates and good practice examples, webinars and professional development events.

YCiS Step-by-step Guide

Sets out ten key steps to help schools identify and support young carers. Each step provides key information and practical tools which can be adapted – it is developed with school staff and designed to be as flexible and helpful as possible.

YCiS Award

Gain recognition that you are meeting the needs of this vulnerable pupil group from leading charities for your good practice. There’s an easy to follow framework so you can easily prioritise what’s next to increase identification and improve outcomes.

YCiS Newsletter

Launching in 2023, we will be sending a newsletter which highlights new and relevant information, shares good practice and new resources.

What does Young Carers in Schools aim to achieve?

Young carers attend and enjoy school and reach their full potential.

Improve young carers’ wellbeing and ensure they are better prepared for independent lives

Young carers to have the same life opportunities as other children.

Parents and carers are supported to enable their children to attend school

Enable schools to identify and support young carers.

A school culture is created which is fully accessible, and understands and respects disability and caring.

50%
of schools said staff were more likely to know what to do if they identified a young carer
50%
had a better understanding of the support required for young carers
50%
of young carers demonstrated increasing happiness
50%
of schools thought young carers motivation to learn had improved
50%
of young carers demonstrated an increase in confidence
50%
reported improvements in young carers’ achievements