"Every young carer deserves to be recognised, supported, and given the opportunity to enjoy and succeed in their education."

At Sawley Juniors we recognise the important role that some children have in helping to care for a family member. We want to work with families to ensure that all young carers are identified, supported, and given every opportunity to achieve their full potential both academically and personally.

A young carer is a child under the age of 18 who helps to care for a family member who may have a disability, long-term illness, mental health condition, additional need, or substance misuse issue. Caring responsibilities can vary greatly and may include providing practical help, emotional support, supervision of siblings, household tasks, or assisting with communication and appointments.

Whilst many young carers take pride in supporting their families, caring responsibilities can sometimes affect a child's education, wellbeing, attendance, social opportunities, and emotional health. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment where young carers feel understood, supported, and able to thrive.

We aim to:

• Identify young carers as early as possible.
• Provide a safe and supportive environment where pupils feel comfortable discussing their circumstances.
• Work in partnership with families and relevant external agencies.
• Understand and respond to the individual needs of young carers.
• Ensure that caring responsibilities do not become a barrier to educational achievement, attendance, participation, or wellbeing.
• Promote equality of opportunity and inclusion for all young carers.

Support may include regular check-ins, pastoral support, flexibility around homework or deadlines where appropriate, assistance during periods of family difficulty, signposting to specialist services such as a Young Carers referral which can offer a key worker and/or trips and residentials, and opportunities for pupils to share their experiences in a confidential and supportive environment.

We understand that many families do not realise their child may be considered a young carer. If you believe your child helps to care for a family member and may benefit from additional support, we encourage you to contact Mrs Joyce who is our Young Carers Lead. Any information shared will be treated sensitively and in accordance with our safeguarding and confidentiality procedures.

For further information about our approach, please see our Young Carers Policy below. This has been written with insight from a DAACSS representative and school work closely with DAACSS to support our staff and pupils appropriately.

 

Please read our Young Carer Policy which is available to download below.

For more information, please find the Derbyshire All Age Carers Support Service website here: https://derbyshirecarers.co.uk/daacss 

For additional information about opportunities and support for families, please visit the Derbyshire Local Offer website: https://www.localoffer.derbyshire.gov.uk/care-and-support-services/support-for-carers/support-for-young-carers/support-for-young-carers-age-5-to-17.5.aspx