1. Carers.org matter.carers.org babble.carers.org http://professionals.carers.org © Carers Trust Young Carers and Education

2. Carers.org matter.carers.org babble.carers.org http://professionals.carers.org © Carers Trust Lorna Goodwin: Scottish Young Carers Festival Coordinator, Carers Trust Scotland. Paul Traynor: Young Adult Carers Policy and Campaign Officer, Carers Trust Scotland.

3. Carers.org matter.carers.org babble.carers.org http://professionals.carers.org © Carers Trust Young Carers in Scotland Scottish Government figures estimate the number of young carers in Scotland at 44,000. However survey work in schools and other research suggest that the figure is nearer 100,000. Through research and surveys we estimate 1 in 10 young people in a class have caring responsibilities. Young carers can tend to have poor attendance and or low educational achievement due to their caring role.

4. Carers.org matter.carers.org babble.carers.org http://professionals.carers.org © Carers Trust Young Carers at the 2014 Festival In 2014, the youngest person to attend the Festival was 7 years old 70% of young carers in attendance were aged between 12-15 years old 66% of the young carers in attendance were female and 34% were male Who they care for: 43% care for a parent, 29% care for a sibling, 24% care for more than one person, 4% care for other family member 54% of young carers said they spent 30-50+ hours a week on caring.

5. Carers.org matter.carers.org babble.carers.org http://professionals.carers.org © Carers Trust Young Carers and Schools In our consultation area at the Festival (the YC Zone) the biggest issue raised every year is schools. Some of the things that they have told us would help: More time to complete homework. Teachers to be trained about young carers and the issues they face. Be allowed to have phone on in case cared for person needs to speak to them Have a named teacher who is responsible for supporting yc’s/allow yc workers into school/refer onto service. Want support and understanding but balanced with not being treated differently.

6. Carers.org matter.carers.org babble.carers.org http://professionals.carers.org © Carers Trust Young Carers talk about school…. Festival DVD clip….. https://vimeo.com/136856567

7. Carers.org matter.carers.org babble.carers.org http://professionals.carers.org © Carers Trust

8. Carers.org matter.carers.org babble.carers.org http://professionals.carers.org © Carers Trust As part of Carers Trust’s Time to be Heard initiatives, the Going Higher for Student Carers campaign is asking the Scottish Government and all universities to include student carers when they look at widening access and participation. It is asking universities to: Identify the number of young adult carers attending their university Support all young adult carers throughout their education to ensure they maintain good mental health, complete their course and achieve the best grades possible Report on young adult carers progress students are making in their university so that they can deliver appropriate support and showcase student carers’ achievements Going Higher in Scotland - campaign

9. Carers.org matter.carers.org babble.carers.org http://professionals.carers.org © Carers Trust This campaign aims to raise awareness of student carers and the issues they experience. It will highlight the extremely changeling conditions endured by student carers that is negatively impacting on them being able to enter, sustain and meet their true potentials in Higher Education in Scotland. Carers provide an invaluable service to their cared for person/s, but also to their local community and to Scotland. It’s is Student Carer’s Time to be Heard in Scotland Why is the Going Higher for Student Carers in Scotland campaign needed?

10. Carers.org matter.carers.org babble.carers.org http://professionals.carers.org © Carers Trust

11. Carers.org matter.carers.org babble.carers.org http://professionals.carers.org © Carers Trust Recent research on young adult and student carers: Carers Trust Young Adult Carers at College and University (2014) Young Adult Carers and Employment (2014) Scottish Youth Parliament (2014) A Costly Youth: The Impact of Caring on Young People in Scotland (2014) National Union of Students (2013) Learning with care: Experiences of student carers in the UK

12. © Carers Trust Key Statistics 39% rated their physical health as either ‘just ok’ or ‘poor’ 45% reported having mental health problems 56% were experiencing difficulties because of their caring role 16% were concerned that they might have to drop out of university 75% of respondents informed university staff of their caring role 45% said there was no one who recognised them as a carer and helped them 54% felt that they would have got better grades if it was not for their caring role Student carers are four times more likely to drop out of college or university than students who are not carers.

13. Carers.org matter.carers.org babble.carers.org http://professionals.carers.org © Carers Trust Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning Angela Constance recently said: “The Scottish Government has been very clear that we want every child, whatever their background, to have an equal chance of benefiting from higher education”.

14. Carers.org matter.carers.org babble.carers.org http://professionals.carers.org © Carers Trust Going Higher for Student Carers in Scotland toolkits: Going Higher for Student Carers in Scotland webpage: http://www.carers.org/going-higher-scotland Supporters’ Campaign Guide: http://www.carers.org/sites/default/files/supporters_guide_going_higher_scotl and.pdf Students Toolkit: http://www.carers.org/sites/default/files/students_going_higher_scotland.pdf Students’ Union Welfare Officer: http://www.carers.org/sites/default/files/welfare_officers_going_hi gher_scotland.pdf Carers’ Services: http://www.carers.org/sites/default/files/carers_services_going_higher_scotl and.pdf

15. Carers.org matter.carers.org babble.carers.org http://professionals.carers.org Carers Trust is a registered charity in England and Wales (1145181) and in Scotland (SC042870). Registered as a company limited by guarantee in England and Wales No. 7697170. Registered office: 32–36 Loman Street, London SE1 0EH. © Carers Trust Thank you Follow us on twitter @carerstrustscot Like us on Facebook E: scotland@carers.org T: 0300 123 2008