What is the award?

The Young Carers in Schools Award allows schools to gain recognition from leading charities for their good practice and ability to meet the needs of young carers.

The Award has been developed in consultation with schools, young carer services and young carers.

The Award consists of two levels – an Award and Award Plus. It is based on five standards which were developed following consultation with young carers. These five standards underpin the new Young Carers in Schools Award:

1. UNDERSTAND

There are assigned members of staff with responsibility for understanding and addressing young carers’ needs

2. INFORM

Awareness is raised by sharing knowledge about disability, illness and young carers throughout the school

3. IDENTIFY

Young carers are being identified within the school

4. LISTEN

Young carers are listened to, consulted with and given time and space to talk

5. SUPPORT

Young carers are supported within the school and signposted to whole-family resources and services outside the school

Applying to the Young Carers in Schools Award

YCiS Award Pack

A full guide to support schools to implement and evidence the Young Carers in Schools Award

YCiS Award Provision Map

A table that outlines the criteria of the Award, the suggested evidence and helps to track progress towards the Award

YCiS Award Evidence Example Pack

This document provides examples of evidence that can be supplied

Award Launch Webinar

Listen to Carers Trust & The Children's Society launch the Young Carers in Schools Award

Applying to the Young Carers in Schools Award Plus

Award Plus Pack

A full guide to support schools implement and evidence the Young Carers in Schools Award Plus

Award Plus Provision Map

A full guide to support schools to implement and evidence a Young Carers in Schools Plus Award

Award Plus Evidence Example Pack

Coming soon

Award Plus Launch Webinar

Listen to Carers Trust & The Children's Society launch the Young Carers in Schools Award Pus

Access Additional Webinars

Further Education Webinar

Listen to Carers Trust & The Children's Society walk through how Further Education Providers can achieve the YCiS Award

YCiS Webinar Nov 25

Discover the latest data, Ofsted updates and strategies from schools that have achieved the Award - plus a walk-through of the Award Procoess from our team

How to apply for the Award

To achieve the Young Carers in Schools Award, evidence must be provided to show how your school or college is implementing the criteria:

A lot of the evidence required can be provided through photos of your young carers noticeboard for pupils. You could send us both a wide-angle picture of the noticeboard, but also a close-up picture of the specific area for each relevant section of the Award. It is important you upload clear photos.
Even if you are confident in your provision for young carers, we ask that all schools initially apply for the Young Carers in Schools Award – this will make the process easier if you wish to apply for the Young Carers in Schools Award Plus.
The Award has a three-year expiry date to ensure that the provision for young carers remains in place.
Schools will be asked how many young carers they have recorded when submitting their application. We will be in contact a year after the school achieves the Award to see if the number of identified young carers has increased.
In response to feedback, we have removed submission deadlines. Applications for the Award will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and we will provide a response within six weeks of submission.