Young Carers

Many young people live in homes where a member of the family needs support due to an illness or ongoing medical condition. A Young Carer is somebody between the ages of 10-24 who supports another family member be it a parent, sibling, grandparent or other person in need in their life.   There are estimated to be over 800,000 young people in that situation across the U.K. today.   That means around 1 in every 5 is a carer.  Many do not even realise they are doing this as they are happy to help and see it as part of their family lifestyle. 

As a Young Carer, any student has a variety of support available to them both in and out of the school.   In school, we are developing noticeboards around the school to provide information on the range of support we offer both during and outside of the school day.  These include (please note that these might be unavailable due to the Covid-19 procedures in school):

• Use of our online 'Confide Button' on the webpage;

• Use of our 'Time to Talk' message box in the pastoral office;

• Homework club;

• Young Carers’ drop-in in Room 37 from 1.15 – 1.45pm every other Thursday;

• Learning Support at lunch times;

• Peer Mentor support in their room every breaktime;

• Pastoral support in their office before and after school.

• Referral to Action for Families and Essex Youth Service Young Carers mentors and support groups in your local area.

As part of our PSHE programme, we deliver sessions on Young Carers and the importance of carers in general.  We will be continuing to raise awareness and how students as well as staff can support those with these important roles.  One of the many ways we will be assessing the need in the school will be surveys for both students and parents on their understanding of Young Carers and the support available.

If you or anyone you know is a Young Carer, please use this page or look out for our notice boards to find how to access the support that suits you.

 Link to local authority Youth Service for self-referrals, for example:

Families or young carers themselves can self-refer or a referral can be made by professionals including GP’s, NHS staff, Social Workers and Teachers. This can be done via our online form or by emailing young.carers@essex.gov.uk.

 The effects of being a young carer

You have responsibilities at home that prevent you from spending time with your friends, or inviting

them around your house.

You feel sad, angry, guilty or embarrassed about the help you give to anyone at home.

You feel upset that friends don’t have the same responsibilities.

You avoid telling anyone outside the family about your home situation.

How can the young carer key workers help?

We offer free personalised support to young carers and their families that will be developed with you

around your need for help and the caring you do.

The service offers:

·Confidential one-to-one support with a dedicated key worker in the area you live, including telephone support.

·Information, advice and guidance and assisting you to access other services to support you as a young carer.

·Training opportunities e.g. moving people safely, building confidence and self-esteem, fire safety and access to counselling services if needed.

·Recreational activities to take you away from your caring role and meet other young carers and make new friends.

·Transition to adult carer services as you come up to 18.

Where can you access the Essex Young Carers Service?

Key workers are available across the whole of Essex and will be based in your local area.

They will visit you at home, school or somewhere else at an agreed time.