A Young Carer is a child or young person (under 18 years old) who is helping to look after someone.  This may be at home, but could also be a person who lives away from the family home. This may include caring for a parent, however some may be taking responsibility for a sibling, grandparent or other relative. It may also be the case that the Young Carer is looking after a family friend.

In some instances, a Young Carer may care for more than one person.

The person(s) they look after will have one or more of:

• Physical disability (including sensory disability)
• Learning disability
• Mental health needs
• Chronic illness
• Substance misuse challenges

A Young Carer will take on additional responsibilities to those appropriate to their age and development. A Young Carer might be providing the main care or share responsibilities with another family member. The caring tasks that a Young Carer has to deal with can range from:

• Nursing care - giving medication, injections, changing dressings, assisting with mobility etc.
• Personal intimate care - washing, dressing, feeding and helping with toilet requirements.
• Emotional care - being compliant, monitoring the emotional state of the person cared for, listening, being a shoulder to cry on, supporting a parent through depression and trying to cheer them up.
• Domestic care - doing a substantial amount of housework, cooking, shopping, cleaning, laundry etc.
• Financial care - running the household, bill paying, benefit collection etc.
• Child care - taking responsibility for younger siblings in addition to their other caring responsibilities.

At Watlington Primary School, we believe that all children and young people have the right to an education, regardless of what is happening at home.

When a young person looks after someone in their family who has a serious illness, disability or substance misuse problem, he or she may need a little extra support to help him or her get the most out of school.

If you think your child may be a Young Carer, please let us know. We may be able to offer some additional support!