Our partnership work with education settings is crucial to embedding support and recognition of Young Carers in schools.
East Bergholt High School Young Carer Lead Rebecca Johnston continues to proactively look for opportunities to raise awareness of pupils with caring roles and ensure that no matter who the staff member in school, they have an awareness of the role of a Young Carer and how they can access support.
Rebecca ensured a page within the Staff Handbook is dedicated to Young Carers. The handbook is a part of all new staff inductions and also a requirement to be read by any temporary staff members of the school.
In addition to this initiative, Rebecca has ensured the school website is updated to provide information for Young Carer support within school, but also how pupils and families can access out of school support.
Rebecca co-hosts a regular Young Carer Lunch club with an Adviser from our service. The atmosphere for the group is relaxed, doughnuts are always consumed as the attendees chat or participate in a group activity.
Rebecca is supported in her role by a Young Carer Ambassador; a pupil of the school who is a Young Carer. Rebecca saw the necessity of this role and their partnership to ensure the support the school is providing is what Young Carers want and need. The Young Carer Ambassador provides the link between staff and pupil voice. Rebecca and the Young Carer Ambassador have created an Assembly that during January 2024, they will be co facilitating to each year group to further raise awareness of the brilliance of Young Carers and how the school community (staff, pupils, and visitors) can support.
Rebecca reflects that when taking on the responsibility of Young Carers she was unsure where to start. Now however, she has gained confidence in the role, working through our Schools Award criteria to provide reference points of what to work towards next.
If your school would like support to raise awareness of Young carers within your setting, please do get in touch with us. We would be very happy to have a conversation with you.
