For education
There are carers in every school, every class, every university. This is why we need to start conversations about caring earlier, to break down stigma about current or future caring, raise awareness of the role of carers and create an environment where carers are connected to help and support. This is vital to ensure carers have the same opportunity to thrive in school and go to college or university if they want to.
Schools, colleges and universities have a crucial role to play in identifying children, young people and adults with caring responsibilities. They can recognise the impact caring can have on their studies, as well as their personal lives. They can take action to ensure carers get the help they need to cope with what can be an intense additional pressure
Here are some practical ways to support carers:
- Schools can sign up to the Young Carers Challenge which sets out five practical steps you can take to improve identification and support for pupils who are young carers so their learning and studies are not affected. The Young Carers in Schools programme is free and a good place to start for schools in England looking for resources to help them with this.
- Schools, colleges and universities can sign up to the Young Carers Covenant and show their support for a fair future for young carers and young adult carers.
- Arrange carer awareness training for staff so that they know who carers are and what support is available. This includes support for pupils, but also staff who are carers. Raising awareness with other students is also really important.
- Find out who your local carers support organisation is and how to refer carers for an assessment and support so you can let students, their families and staff can access support should they need it.
- Hold an assembly during Carers Week on caring or share information via your school website/social media.
Reference:
* Baowen Xue, Rebecca E. Lacey, Giorgio Di Gessa, Anne McMunn, 2023, Does providing informal care in young adulthood impact educational attainment and employment in the UK?
Caring About Equality
