YOUNG CARERS
Lighting fires
“Try to learn everything
about something,
There are a number of young carers at Ms Allen’s
school and, she says, all are different. “Sarah is quite
and something about
open and always chats to me about her mum and her
brother. Some others have shocking attendance, others
everything.”
Burden
behavioural problems, others don’t let it affect their
TH Huxley
work or behaviour.”
The Children’s Society suggests that there are
simple steps that schools can take to make life easier “The test of a good teacher
for young carers.
This starts with the enrolment process and can be
is not how many questions
as simple as checking whether a potential pupil has
parents or family members with a disability or long-
he can ask his pupils that
term health problems.
they will answer readily, but
The resource also suggests ensuring that there is
a named member of staff that pupils can talk to and
how many questions
of care
whose role is understood by staff, pupils and parents.
The Disability Discrimination Act states that local
he inspires them to ask
authorities must provide adequate support to disabled
parents getting their children to school, and schools
which he finds it hard to
should try and implement this.
answer.”
Other things teachers can do to ease the pressure
include allowing young carers to telephone home
Alice Wellington Rollins
if they are worried about their relative. Some
schools offer a young carers’ card scheme to help
them identify themselves and access facilities/
“I am indebted to my father
leave the classroom without having to explain their
for living, but to my teacher
circumstances.
The guide also suggests negotiating deadlines for
for living well.”
homework and considering lunchtime rather than after-
school detentions.
Alexander the Great
There are ways in which teachers can assist with the
external problems associated with being a young carer.
“Children are travellers,
Teachers should be aware of the appropriate support
services, such as Community Care Assessments or Care newly arrived in a strange
Programme Approach.
Many local authorities will also have a volunteer
country of which they know
Young Carers’ Service, which offers access to organised
activities and mentoring support.
nothing.”
Jane, 13, who looks after her two siblings to help her John Locke
wheelchair-bound mother, is involved with this service.
She said: “I get to go on day trips with other young
carers who know what I am going through and who I
“I have found the best way
don’t feel weird around. It’s also really good as I can
switch off for the day and not worry about school work
to give advice to children
or my sisters.” SecEd
is to find out what they
• Hazel Davis is a freelance education journalist want and then advise them
Further information to do it.”
wGTC NEW CODE ADVERTS SecEd 188x136.5 v2 - 9809:Layout 1 17/9/09 16:51 Page 2ww.youngcarer.com
Harry S Truman
www.carers.org
“WHAT WE SHARE”
Teaching's new code
To address this, the Include project has delivered young carer, Sarah, in her year 11 class, whose mother
training sessions to education staff nationally in order to is wheelchair-bound.
raise awareness about the issues relating to young carers. “We knew about her status when she joined the
THE PRINCIPLES OF PRACTICE FOR REGISTERED TEACHERS
This has led, Ms Lineros explained, to effective school, so we knew what to expect,” she explained,
multi-agency work, better understanding about the and what to expect, it turns out, was mainly attendance-
Put the well-being, development Strive to establish productive
legislation surrounding young carers and their families, related.
and – most importantly – effective identification and “Her behaviour is amazing,” she continued, “she is
and progress of children and young partnerships with parents and carers.
support given to young carers. so lovely and helpful and hard-working. However, she’s
people first.
The Whole Family Pathway – An Essential Resource often late for school because she’s waiting for her younger Work as part of a whole-school
for Practitioners was written in partnership with brother or has to help her mum. Her attendance is about
Disabled Parents Network and the Princess Royal Trust 85 per cent as she has to have days off here and there.”
Take responsibility for maintaining team.
for Carers and was piloted in three local authorities Ms Allen says she tries not to give her a hard time the quality of their teaching practice.
– Hampshire, London Borough of Hillingdon, and about her lateness, “and when she has detention for it
Co-operate with other professional
Oxfordshire. The aim of the resource is to support she normally just sits with me and I help her catch up
Help children and young people to colleagues.
professionals in health, education and the voluntary on coursework”.
sector in helping young carers and their families. On the other hand, Sarah’s younger brother (who is
become confident and successful
The Children’s Society defines a “young carer” as very low ability) is quite naughty and Ms Allen says she
Demonstrate honesty and
learners.
someone under 18 who helps to look after a family ends up trying to look after him too. integrity and uphold public trust
member who is disabled, physically or mentally ill or “Sarah has a counsellor who comes in (arranged by
has a substance misuse problem. The literature also the school) to work with her and she sees a learning
Demonstrate respect for diversity and confidence in the teaching
suggests that there may be up to 30 young carers in any mentor for chats. She has also been given a place on the and promote equality. profession.
one secondary school. school’s relaxation course with the therapist who comes
Secondary teacher Kate Allen teaches a 15-year-old in to work with stressed kids.”
How can I spot a young carer in my class?
• If a pupil’s attendance is very poor, it could be that they have issues at home
• If homework is repeatedly left undone or after-school activities neglected, this might
point to home obligations
• Young carers often distance themselves from their peers
• Sometimes the caring role at home manifests itself in angry behaviour
• Tiredness and lack of concentration in class might point to a secret caring role
How can I help?
• Raise awareness among staff by running workshops and providing literature
• Hold a drop-in session for young carers to “identify themselves”
• Moveable goalposts for homework deadlines
• Have a noticeboard letting young carers know that if they are looking after someone
they can self-refer
• Consider offering a homework club for those who need extra help
• Offer a timeout card/phone card or a little slip that the student can show to teachers
to leave the room without getting into trouble or attracting attention
SecEd • September 24 2009 9
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