Who are young carers?

Do you have pupils that are…

Absent from lessons
Struggle to take part in after school activities or trips
Late with homework
Tired or distracted
Concerned about keeping their phone on, or staying in touch with a family member during school hours

They might be a young carer or young adult carer – young people who look after someone in their family or a friend who is ill, disabled, or has a mental health problem or an addiction.

They may help by:

Shopping, cooking, cleaning
Managing medicines or money
Providing personal care
Helping get people out the house
Keeping an eye on someone
Providing emotional support

One in 5 secondary aged pupils estimated to have caring responsibilities

40% said they ‘never’ or do ‘not often’ have someone at school to talk to about being a young carer or young adult carer

Young carers have significantly lower educational attainment at GCSE level – the difference between nine Cs and nine Ds