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Helston Community College

Young Carers

We are aware that some of our pupils are young carers. A young carer is someone under 18 who is caring unpaid for a family member or a friend who is ill, disabled, or has a mental health problem or an addiction.

They often take on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult. Research suggests there are at least 800,000 young carers in the UK but many do not realise they are a young carer.

We know that young carers may need a little extra support to enjoy and do well at school. We are committed to ensuring that all pupils who are young carers are identified, and supported effectively.

 

As a college we have put together a detailed action plan to support young carers and will be introducing a support package over the next term. This package will include lunchtime drop in sessions, student awareness sessions, student well-being support and links with Barnardos, young carers support.

 

We are proud to say that we are currently working towards the Bronze Young Carers in School Award.

 

If you are a young carer or think you might be

Visit Cornwall Young Carers Website: kernowyoungcarers.co.uk

Contact the Kernow Young Carers team via phone: 01736 756655.

Students can also self-refer via the website:

Young Self-Referral Form — Cornwall Carers Service

 

Where do I go if I need to ask questions?

Contact the following staff if help and support is needed:

Young Carers Statement July 2023.pdf
Kernow Young Carers Summer Newsletter.pdf

 

 

Helston Community College wins award for young carer support

 

Helston Community College has been given a bronze award for their work to make sure students don’t miss out on an education because they are young carers.

 

The Young Carers in Schools programme helps primary and secondary schools improve outcomes for young carers and celebrates good practice through the Young Carers in Schools Award.

 

Headteacher ‘We're delighted to be receiving this award and will continue to do all we can to ensure our Young Carers get the support they need. I'd like to thank Ms Mugford and Ms Martin for leading on this and to staff across the College for being so supportive.’

 

Young carer ‘One of our year 7 Young carers said ‘ I am glad that the school has got the award.  It is good that people are more aware that Young Carers can struggle and it’s great that we have the Young carers festival trip coming up which lets us have a breather from the commitments we have’

 

Young carers are responsible for emotional, practical or physical care for a parent, sibling or other family member who has a physical disability, mental health issue or substance misuse issue. The 2011 Census statistics revealed that there are just over 166,000 young carers in England, but research reveals that this is just the tip of the iceberg. The true figure could be closer to 800,000 young carers in England, equivalent to one in 5 secondary aged school children many of whom are unrecognised and unsupported.

 

Research carried out by Carers Trust and The Children's Society shows that, on average, young carers miss or cut short 48 school days a year and often have lower levels of self-confidence, mental wellbeing and significantly lower educational attainment at GCSE level, because of their caring role. Ofsted's Common Inspection Framework states that inspectors will look at how well schools support young carers.  While some schools are doing this really well, others struggle and this causes real problems for young carers.

 

“To achieve their Bronze Award Helston Community College has demonstrated that it supports young carers in many ways, including homework clubs and drop-in sessions with a member of staff who is responsible for this vulnerable group of pupils.  Vital information about how to identify young carers is made available to all school staff, and noticeboards and the school webpage let students and their families know where to go for help”.