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Education


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Teachers are often our first point of contact for the identification and referral of young carers.

Young carers are not easy to identify as they may actively try to conceal their caring role from school staff and peers for fear of outside interference or bullying.

Recognising some of these key signs may help you to identify young carers within school:

  • Late for and miss days of school for no apparent reason
  • Tired and withdrawn
  • Difficulty joining into social and extra-curricular activities
  • Isolated or a victim of bullying....but in contrast they may be confident with adults
  • Under-achievement, poor, late or incomplete homework/coursework
  • Anxiety or concern for a relative
  • Behavioural problems, expressing pent up frustration or stress
  • Physical problems such as strain or injury caused by aspects of their caring role

The positive steps you can take to help:

  • Speak to the young person privately, explain the confidentiality rules that teachers work to in age appropriate language.
  • Try to establish the caring tasks they are performing and why, how their caring role is affecting them (are they missing out on opportunities, are they being bullied, are they tried or stressed), and how you might be able to help them.
  • Ask for the young person’s permission to speak to their parent/s and try to explain the effects of the young person’s caring role on their education and the additional support that may be available. Please try to remember here that few parents choose a caring role for their child – it is often the only option and they may feel very guilty.
  • Outline to parents and children their entitlement to an assessment of their needs from social services and how this may help them.
  • Support the family in contacting us (Sheffield Young Carers) or other organisations and agencies if they choose. Use our Contact Us page to do this.
  • Talk to them about SYC and the services we provide. With the young carer and their parents permission, you can then refer them to our service using our Referral Form.
  • Try to draw up a realistic action plan with the family which will allow the young carer to attend school and achieve educationally.
  • Use sources provided below by The Royal Princess Trust for Carers, or alternatively from The Department of Education, which provide advice and guidance for teachers.
  • Consider appointing and training a designated member of staff with the responsibility of supporting young carers.

Positive steps your school can take:

Schools action list

Sources provided for Schools and Local Authorities by The Royal Princess Trust for Carers




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