Supporting Young Carers in Secondary School
How To Receive A Schools Award
Our annual schools awards ensure that schools are providing continuous support to their young carers. Your school can receive an award by evidencing the following within an academic year:
- A commitment to recognising and recording young carers within the school
With an average of 1 in 5 students being a young carer, there is no doubt that you have young carers in your school. See How to identify a young carer.
- Having a named ‘Young Carers Champion’ and a deputy (a DSL or assistant head to be appointed to one of these roles)
A ‘Schools Project Agreement’ will need to be completed to formalise who your carers champions are.
- Holding a ‘Young Carers Awareness Session’ within the staff team
Identifying young carers is crucial to the success of supporting young carers. Our schools workers will support the carers champion to deliver an awareness session to your staff.
- Raising awareness of ‘Young Carers Action Day’ – a national day, held in March, celebrating young carers
Every year the Carers Trust selects a theme that recognises and celebrates young carers. Your school should celebrate this day in as many ways as possible, such as sharing Carers Bucks’ social media posts.
- A commitment to developing termly groups
Staff from Carers Bucks will work with your carers champion to identify the best way to support your young carers through group work within your school setting.
Secondary School Drop-ins
A dedicated support worker will visit your school once a half term and see all young carers in your school who are registered with Carers Bucks. During the 15-minute appointment support workers will discuss their caring role, remind them of the services available to them via our mainstream service and follow up on anything discussed. See Secondary School Drop-ins.
*Please note, for us to visit your school to complete drop-in sessions you will need to have a minimum of six young carers registered with Carers Bucks.
Could Your School Benefit From Any Of These?
If your school is interested in working with Carers Bucks to support your young carers, please email us or complete the expression of interest form and one of our team will contact you.
