All Saints’ C of E Primary School achieves award for young carer support

All Saints’ Primary School has been awarded a Silver award for their work to make sure students don’t miss out on an education because they are young carers.

The Young Carers in Schools programme helps primary and secondary schools improve outcomes for young carers and celebrates good practice through the Young Carers in Schools Award.

Young carers are responsible for emotional, practical or physical care for a parent, sibling or other family member who has a physical disability, mental health issue or substance misuse issue. The 2011 Census statistics revealed that there are just over 166,000 young carers in England, but research reveals that this is just the tip of the iceberg. The true figure could be closer to 800,000 young carers in England, equivalent to one in 5 secondary aged school children many of whom are unrecognised and unsupported.

To help schools support young carers, the programme offers a step-by-step guide for leaders, teachers and non-teaching staff, with practical tools designed to make it as easy as possible for schools. Staff can also receive training through webinars and events and the programme also features a newsletter each term highlighting relevant policy developments, spotlighting good practice and giving updates on the programme’s successes.

“To achieve their Silver Award All Saints’ C of E Primary School has demonstrated that it supports young carers in many ways, including awareness raising with pupils and staff, and by building links within the local community. Young carers are consulted with, and vital information is made available to pupils and families, letting them know where to go for help.”

Giles Meyer, Chief Executive of Carers Trust, today congratulated Award-winning schools, saying: “The Young Carers in Schools programme is helping to transform schools and support staff across England. Schools play a vital role in a young carer’s life, as many care for relatives without their teachers even knowing what they do. On average young carers will miss a day of school each month as a result of their caring role, so the steps schools take to identify and support them can have a huge impact on their learning, wellbeing and life chances.”

Action for Young Carers is now holding a group in Harwich.

Our Young Carers Club nights run on weekday evenings at youth centres in Colchester, Loughton, Harlow, Maldon, Stansted, Dunmow, Witham, Clacton and our new club at Harwich.

Many events take place at club night including access to computers, games such as pool and table tennis, arts and crafts, life skills such as cooking and varied seasonal activities. Occasional trips and other activities run over school holidays.

Clubs give Young Carers a chance to make friends who are also caring for someone, to have fun and a break from their caring role.

In Harwich, on the 5^th of January, and then running it on the 1^st and 2^nd Thurs of each month, 4:30-6:30

Vibe Youth Centre
Main Road
Dovercourt
CO12 4AH

Contact
Chris Vince
yc@affc.org.uk

Young Carers drop in will be held every Tuesday lunchtime in the school library.

This will be run by Julie David (Pastoral Manager)

If you have identified your child as a Young Carer please encourage them to come along if you feel they would benefit from some additional support.

All Saints’ C of E Primary School is committed to develop provision for young carers and their families.

We will capture the commitment by widening our provision, building on the needs of the young people and better meet young carers’ needs by reviewing All Saints’ C of E Primary School provision for young carers with a view to ultimately achieving best practice.

How we will achieve this:

• The whole school is committed to meeting the needs of young carers so that they can attend and enjoy school in the same way as other pupil/students and achieve their potential.
• Appointing a designated Young Carers’ School Lead with responsibility for young carers and their families. Pupils and families will be made aware of the identity of this lead and how to contact them to access support.
• The school only shares information with professionals and agencies on a need to know basis in order to support pupils and their families.
• All Saints’ C of E Primary School will actively seek feedback and ideas from young carers and their families to shape and improve support.
• The school has an effective referral system and strong partnership in place with relevant external agencies, including referral to Young Carer agencies providing key workers who will work with young carers and families.

We will strive to achieve best practice for students and families in our school in order to provide them with the best chance of success in their future.