The Children’s Society
c/o Whitecross Studios
50 Banner Street
London
EC1Y 8ST
Supporting Young Carers in Schools
Step 4
Introducing a Young Carers School Operational Lead
Resource title: Supporting young Carers in School
Published: 2022 Author: Carers Trust
To ensure the effective management of the school’s provision for young carers, it is crucial that each school’s senior leadership team (SLT) identifies a member of staff who will act as a Young Carers School Operational Lead in the school. This member of staff should understand young carers’ issues and be clearly identifiable to pupils, families and staff.
As part of their wider role within the school, the Young Carers School Operational Lead should:
Depending on the size and structure of the school, SLTs may decide that the role of the Young Carers School Operational Lead should sit within the wider work of the school’s SLT or should be delegated to another member of staff. This may be, for example, your school’s Inclusion Manager or Officer, Pastoral Lead, SENCO, a Learning Mentor or another member of staff with specific interest in this work.
Step 4 Tool 1: Young Carers School Operational Lead duties checklist supports schools by setting out the actions that need to be carried out at an operational level to ensure the effective identification and support of young carers in schools.
In quantifying the post, your school may want to consider allocating an additional Teacher Learning Responsibility point to this role. As many young carers are eligible for Pupil Premium funding, schools may wish to consider use this funding stream to this end.
The Young Carers School Operational Lead should ensure they themselves understand young carers’ issues (see Step 1: Gaining an understanding about young carers).
Where the role is delegated, it is important that the Young Carers School Operational Lead is supported by a Young Carers Senior Leadership Team Lead.
There is a variety of support available for the Young Carers School Operational Lead including:
For more information about the role and responsibilities of school leaders in ensuring effective young carers provision, see Step 3: Securing commitment of school leaders.
The Children’s Society
c/o Whitecross Studios
50 Banner Street
London
EC1Y 8ST
© 2022 Young Carers in Schools