Supporting young carers in schools October 2010 Daniel Phelps

‘When I found out about her family situation I suddenly understood why she was often late and seldom did her homework. I was amazed at just how well she had done but frustrated that we as staff had not known.’ (Teacher)

Impacts 27% of young carers aged are experiencing educational difficulties 40 % are missing school or have other indicators of educational difficulties. When caring for a relative with drug or alcohol problems) Not enough time for homework Victim of bullying or the perpetrator of bullying, isolated, few friendships Behavioral problems Unable to attend after school activities Underachieving, absent and excluded Long term impacts on further education, employment and training

Impacts on further education, employment and training Being a young adult carer (16-24) reduces chances of being in either full time or part time work (Yeandle and Buckner 2008) Leaving home is problematic and complex; moving out is often delayed. College is generally more flexible for carers At university: “caring from a distance”, returning home every weekend Combining caring and work is very challenging Low self confidence, lack of skills and knowledge about benefits and rights impedes success

Why should schools support young carers and families? ‘Children and young people will be protected from inappropriate caring and have the support they need to learn, develop and thrive, to enjoy positive childhoods and to achieve against all the Every Child Matters outcomes.’ The Carers’ Strategy 2008 Up to 30 young carers in an average secondary school Supporting them can improve attendance, behaviour; well-being and achievement

Working Together To Support Young Carers (ADASS/ADCS 2009) Encourages schools to: Have a named staff member with lead responsibility for young carers (School Lead) Have in place a policy to encourage practice that identifies and supports young carers Download from

Supporting Young Carers (Ofsted 2009) Councils and partners should ensure that professionals within universal services are aware of the needs of young carers, so they can be identified and supported

The whole school approach ‘The WSA can be a useful tool in determining what activities a school can undertake in order to support young carers.’ Healthy Schools 2009 Healthy School HOT TOPIC otTopichttp://resources.healthyschools.gov.uk/p/Static/H otTopic

What is the way forward? Barriers at school & at home Whole family approach Multi-agency partnership work Early identification and good assessment Schools can’t do on own – but key players! (best in partnership with services)

Supporting young carers: A resource for schools Online resource for schools available to download for free at: SURVEY RESULTS

To support schools with : Partnership Working Healthy Schools Status SEAL Pupils’ Wellbeing Behaviour and Attendance Policy Development Action Plans PSHE Identification

Benefits:

Structure of resource An overview Barriers to learning A strategic approach Supporting young carers in your school Building a healthy school environment Additional resources Young carers survey results

Some key chapters Young carers and their education (2) Barriers to learning faced by young carers (4) A model for setting up a framework of support (9)

Some key chapters How can school governors help?(10) pdfhttp://static.carers.org/files/10-governors pdf Developing a school policy for young carers and their families(including checklist) (12) Staff Training and Awareness (14)

Some key chapters Working with young carers: a model (16) Identification of young carers (18) Working in partnership with young carers’ services (including checklist and example of work by a service) (30)

Saving schools time Lesson and assembly planning 33.2 Young carers’ stories 33.3 Building your library 33.4 Sample role-play for an assembly, drama, PSHCE or SEAL lesson Young carers give top tips for their peers

Saving schools time How our school supports young carers: a template (A model text) 34.2 Information and contacts for young carers: a template 34.3 Information and contacts for parents: a template

How can the resource support services: A. to begin working with schools and/or champion young carers B. to develop better partnerships with schools

Challenges to moving this work forward A. What is in the way of progressing schools work? B. What is in the way of progressing work using the resource?

How Might The Resource Be Further Developed? Tools? Information? Other?

Other Local authority leads developing groups of School Leas to:- –share good practice –To keep updated with developments Doing the Right Thing Well In Schools

‘‘Every school will have young carers …and just one individual teacher or support worker being involved can make a huge difference.’ (young carer) ‘My teachers do everything right’ (young carer)

Daniel Phelps Policy and Development Officer Development of an group for resource updates:- school leads and LA leads