Who are young carers?

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