Who is a young carer?
A young carer is someone under 18 who helps look after someone in their family who is ill, suffers from poor mental health, is disabled, or someone who misuses drugs or alcohol.
A young carer might do:
- Practical tasks, such as cooking, housework and shopping
- Physical care, such as helping someone out of bed
- Emotional support, such as talking to someone who is distressed
- Personal care, such as helping someone dress
- Managing the family budget and collecting prescriptions
- Helping to give medicine
- Helping someone communicate
- Looking after brothers and sisters
Research conducted by the BBC suggests that there could be as many as 700,000 young carers across the UK, some as young as five years old.
Young Carers at Airedale Junior School
With the responsibility of caring for a family member, young carers can sometimes struggle with juggling these additional responsibilities alongside their education.
We believe that every child has the right to an education and deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, regardless of their family circumstances. Airedale Junior School is fully committed to supporting young carers with their unique responsibilities and/or challenges, without judgement or unwanted interference.
We recognise and support our young carers, assisting them with any challenges they may face because of their young carer status. We have adopted our Young Carers policy to support these pupils, without judgement or unwanted interference.
We do this by:
- Liaising with feeder schools to aid a smooth transition for young Carers
- Identifying young Carers as soon as possible
- Having a designated members of staff for young Carers
- Offering group support/meetings, as well as one-to-one sessions with a named contact
- Ensuring the individual needs and circumstances of our young Carers are understood by all school staff
- Respecting the privacy of our young carers
- Liaising with appropriate outside agencies
If you believe your child is a young carer then please get in touch with Mrs Wells
Mrs Wells can be contacted at: lwells@airedale-jun.wakefield.sch.uk