Young Carers in Schools
There’s at least two young carers in every Essex classroom.
Around 10,000 young carers take on adult responsibilities such as administering medication, cooking, caring for siblings, and providing emotional support for a loved one. For these children, caring is not a choice – it is simply part of everyday life: “It’s just what we do.”
Alongside their caring responsibilities, young carers must attend school, complete homework, sit exams, and maintain friendships. The emotional toll can be overwhelming. Our recent survey found that:
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52% feel stressed or anxious
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43% feel isolated
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30% struggle to cope
Sally* who cares for her mum with cerebral palsy finds it hard to concentrate in class due to worry about her mum’s pain.
Harry has attendance of just 52% due to severe anxiety linked to supporting a parent with poor mental health.
Daily practical barriers are common too – from arriving late because a sibling with ADHD struggles to get ready, to missing homework when a parent becomes unwell. On average, young carers miss or cut short 23 school days per year and achieve the equivalent of nine GCSE grades lower than their peers.
Our support in schools
We currently support Young Carers in secondary schools across Essex offering tailored support to improve emotional wellbeing and educational engagement.
Our services include:
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One-to-one support sessions: focusing on emotional wellbeing, school engagement, and positive thinking about the future
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Group support: helping young carers build a network of peers within their school
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Practical support: advice and coping strategies
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Raising awareness: assemblies and staff training to help the school community understand young carers’ challenges
We can also support schools to become Young Carer Friendly, through:
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Giving information and advice on the identification and support of young carers
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Developing policies and practices that recognise and support Young Carers
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Assisting your school to achieve the Young Carers in Schools Award – gain national recognition for raising outcomes for Young Carers
“My Young Carer Coordinator has helped me so much. She comes to school, she listens to me like she cares and understands what I am going through. I get anxious and worried, she helped me with breathing techniques and gave me a card to put in my pocket of things to calm myself down. She has also helped me to find a teacher I trust to talk to, which has really helped me at school.”
Fundraising in schools and colleges
You might also be interested in fundraising for us, to support Essex’s carers. Find out more here.
Get in touch
If you would like to talk to us about Young Carers in Schools support, please email us at yc@affc.org.uk
Young Carer Stories
Jo's Story: Growing in confidence
Poppy's Story: Finding balance and confidence
Albie's Story: Finding strength & a voice
Need Support?
We prioritise your well-being and understand that seeking help can sometimes be challenging. That's why we are proud to offer a free and completely confidential service dedicated to providing you with the support you need. Our team of compassionate professionals are here to lend a listening ear and assist you through any difficult situation you may be facing.