Young Carers

Introduction

Young carers are those under the age of 18 who help to look after a relative with a disability, illness, mental health condition, or drug or alcohol problem. Young carers are entitled to a statutory assessment of their needs. To find out how to make a referral for a young carer please click here. 

Bristol City Council has recently published the Young Carers and Young Adult Carers Strategy 2021-2025.docx (6 MB) in which there are significant plans to improve support for young carers. The first priority is about the identification and recognition of young carers. If young carers are not identified at an early stage, they often end up taking on inappropriate and excessive levels of caring responsibilities. This can have a significant impact on their education, health and future opportunities. 

It is likely that you will have at least 1 or 2 young carers in every class in every year group in your school.

Young Carers Voice have made a film highlighting young carers experiences in school. They explain what support is needed and how schools can improve support with the help of the Young Carers in Schools Programme. Watch 'Who Cares in School?' here.

Young carers and the School Census 

From Spring 2023, young carers are going to be included on the school census return. This will contribute to the implementation of the local strategy; enable a much better picture of the number of young carers in schools, provide opportunities to use this data to monitor attendance and attainment of young carers and help to ensure young carers get the support they need.  

The Young Carers Alliance has developed a Young Carers and Schools Communications Pack and is asking for your help to ensure that all young carers in the country are identified and supported. Raising awareness amongst students and parents is a vital part of identifying young carers. Bristol and South Gloucestershire Young Carers Service can help you improve identification and outcomes for young carers through the free Young Carers in Schools Local Offer.pptx (1594 KB) contact vickih@carerssupportcentre.org.uk for more information.

Get Support Locally

• Bristol and South Gloucestershire Young Carers Service - help and support to children aged 8-18, their families and professionals working with young carers in Bristol and South Gloucestershire.
• Refer a Young Person to Bristol and South Gloucestershire Young Carers Service.
• Young carers: guidance for teachers - Bristol City Council 
• Bristol Black Carers - support and Assistance for Caribbean, African & Asian Carers in Bristol.
• Young Carers Development Trust | YCDT - charity tackling the lack of opportunity experienced by many young carers.
• Caring for someone? | Creative Youth Network - sessions for 11-19 year olds.
• Young Carers Transition Guidelines.pdf (24 MB) - The Carers Support Centre (Bristol & South Glos) have developed this guidance for Schools & Colleges
• Bristol and South Gloucestershire Young Carers Service leaflet.pdf (620 KB)
• Support for young carers and siblings of disabled people - Sense
• Support & Information for Carers | Young Carers | The Mix

National Resources

• Young Carers in schools Programme - Carers Trust
• Supporting Young Carers in Schools: A Step-by-step Guide for Leaders, Teachers and Non-teaching Staff from the Carers Trust.
• Young Carers Alliance - a growing network of organisations & individuals committed to young carers, collaboration, best practice, resources and webinars.
• Young Carers in schools Award - an England-wide initiative that equips schools to identify and support young carers from the Children's Society.
• Year 6 transitions Moving on.pdf (185 KB) - a workbook designed by Caring Together.