Arden Primary School

A 'Young Carer' is a child or young adult who spends time looking after or helping a member of their family who is unable to take care of everyday tasks themselves without some help. This may be due to illness, disability, mental health problems or drug and alcohol issues. The help Young Carers may give could include shopping, making meals, doing the laundry, or perhaps helping out with nursing care, e.g. giving medication or lifting someone up and downstairs or in and out of bed. Young Carers may also give their time just to be with someone when they need company.

Young Carers are a very hidden group and often experience negative impacts on their education, health and development as a result of their caring responsibilities at home.

When Young Carers are identified (if they were not already known to us), we can refer to Signpost. Between Signpost and Young Carers, we deliver targeted interventions, leading to improvements in attendance and attainment - along with support for families. We currently run monthly meetings for our Young Carers and have check ins with them each week to support them and their families.

The professional events at Signpost are a chance to share local and national developments and best practice and also include interactive training for school staff, to gain skills in delivering awareness-raising and support activities for young carers in their schools.