Defining a Young Carer
Being a young carer means holding a unique set of responsibilities that surpass the typical experiences of their peers. These remarkable students, who are under the age of 18, provide essential and ongoing care for a family member or close friend who is managing a long term illness, a disability, an addiction or other significant health challenges.
While other students focus primarily on their education and social development, young carers must simultaneously manage the demands of caregiving. This commitment can significantly affect their academic studies, friendships, emotional well being and opportunities to engage in activities associated with being young.
Here at Leigh UTC Dartford, we are dedicated to supporting these students. We have established confidential support systems within our school community to offer understanding, practical guidance and immediate help for their complex circumstances. Furthermore, we maintain strong links with external support services, ensuring that both our young carers and their families have access to comprehensive assistance when required.
Who Young Carers Look After and Why
Young carers provide care for someone who has a health condition falling into one of the following categories:
- Illness or Disability: This includes individuals with a chronic illness, those recovering from a major operation or persons living with permanent physical or mental disabilities, such as impaired mobility or Down’s syndrome.
- Mental Health Issues: This covers conditions such as depression,
- schizophrenia, or dementia.
- Addiction: Particularly where there is substance misuse involving drugs or alcohol.
Examples of Tasks Young Carers Undertake
The support provided by young carers is broad and varied, often including:
- Domestic Responsibilities: Tasks such as cleaning, shopping, cooking, laundry, and general household maintenance.
- Physical Assistance: Helping the person they care for to move between rooms, managing stairs, or assisting with getting in and out of bed.
- Personal Care: Providing help with bathing, dressing, eating, drinking, using the bathroom, and ensuring medication is taken correctly.
- Emotional Support: Offering a listening ear, talking to the individual, and helping to keep them calm during challenging periods, such as medical appointments.
- Organisational Duties: This can involve managing finances, sorting bills, collecting prescriptions, handling benefits claims, and arranging medical appointments.
- Communication Aid: If the person being cared for has difficulty speaking or needs translation, the young carer may facilitate communication.
- Caring for Siblings: When a parent requires significant care, the young carer may also take on the responsibility of looking after younger siblings, including preparing meals and school runs.
The Effect on a Young Carer’s Life
The significant responsibilities young carers have at home often make it challenging for them to spend time with friends or invite them over. They may experience powerful emotions such as sadness, anger, guilt, or embarrassment concerning their family situation. They may feel upset that their friends do not share the same demands. This often leads them to avoid disclosing their home life to anyone outside the family unit.
Our Offer to Young Carers at Leigh UTC Dartford
At Leigh UTC Dartford, we are committed to providing a secure and supportive environment for our young carers to confidentially share their experiences.
Our dedicated Young Carers Team is fully committed to offering guidance and practical assistance. Our team is available to our Young Carers at all times, creating a safe space where young carers can openly discuss their feelings, share their experiences and receive support in managing their unique responsibilities.
Our team is always available to address any concerns regarding their academic life, social relationships or the difficulty of balancing caregiving with education.
To ensure holistic support, we work closely with our in-house mental health and well being services. We also maintain strong relationships with external organisations to access additional resources and specialist expertise. Whether a student requires someone to talk to, practical advice, or connections to wider support services, our team is here to assist them throughout their journey. We are dedicated to ensuring that every young carer at Leigh UTC Dartford is recognised, supported, and empowered both personally and academically.
How to Access This Support
If you believe that you or a child you know would benefit from this dedicated support, please email the young carers champions: Mrs Walker, Mrs Narwan, Mrs Crumby, Mrs Grimwade, Mrs Gilmore, Mrs Morrison and Ms Wilton.
Examples of External Agencies We Work Alongside
Imago / Kent Young Carers (KYC) KYC is the service provider for Young Carers aged 5-18 across Kent (excluding Medway). They support Young Carers who are taking on caring duties for a family member with a long-term illness, disability, mental health issue, or substance misuse issue. KYC works extensively with schools and community bodies to identify hidden young carers. Following an assessment, KYC provides a range of short-term interventions, including signposting, one-to-one support, in-school support, and workshops. They also offer training and information to professionals.
Phone: 0300 111 1110
Email: youngcarers@imago.community
Early Help (Kent County Council)
https://www.kent.gov.uk/education-and-children/early-help-support-for-families
Carers Trust