As we enter a new financial year, it is a time for reflecting on our achievements of the past 12 months, and looking forward to our goals for the next.
Impacts and achievements
Over the last year, YCiS has continued to positively impact upon the lives of young carers across England by providing a framework of identification and support in many schools. 190 schools have now achieved a Young Carers in Schools Award, including our very first Gold-Awarded PRU, Educational Diversity in Blackpool.
We have also run professional development and training events, published resources and toolkits, and continued to place the voices of young people at the heart of what we do.
The voices of young carers
From the very beginning of the programme, we have consulted with young carers to find out what really matters to them. We do this at the Young Carers Festival, run annually by The Children’s Society and YMCA Fairthorne Manor, where last year 112 young people spoke to us about their school, and the support that they receive.
We also involve young carers at our Quality Assurance panels, where young people are invited to review a selection of YCiS Award applications, and quality assure the marking. If you would be interested in attending or hosting a Quality Assurance panel at your school or project, please get in touch with us at YCiS@childrenssociety.org.uk.
What’s next?
Over the next year, some of our work will continue unchanged, with the team continuing to accept Award applications on the last working day of each half term. We also plan to continue our Quality Assurance panels with young carers.
New resources are planned, including our Local Authority Toolkit, with tools and guidance to support local authorities to implement their duties under the Children and Families Act 2104 and the Care Act 2014 by working in partnership with young carers services and Young Carers in Schools. This is planned for publication in late spring/early summer.
We are also updating our Young Carers in Schools: A guide to evidencing the Bronze Award, and adding a whole new guide! Think of this like a video game walkthrough.
Designed to be used in conjunction with the Award Pack, Young Carers in Schools: A guide to evidencing the Silver Award combines top tips and good practice examples drawn from real-life applications, to help you to apply for and achieve the Silver Young Carers in Schools Award.
“The guide and exemplification were really helpful.”
“I found that the guide to evidencing the award was extremely helpful and this became my ‘bible’.”
“The examples of evidence required made it easy to understand what was expected.”
The first edition of the Bronze guide has already supported a number of schools to achieve an Award. Download your copy today by clicking the link above.
Applying for a YCiS Award
The next submission deadline for Award applications is Friday 25th May. Find out more about submitting an application.
Shout Outs!
Congratulations to Fordbridge Community Primary School, Solihull, St. Augustine’s School, North Yorkshire, and Wright Robinson College, Manchester, who all achieved a Bronze Young Carers in Schools Award this month!
