Ladywood Primary and Nursery School is committed to supporting young carers to access and maintain the education to which they are entitled to. This policy supports our commitment to ensure young carers at Ladywood Primary and Nursery School are identified, respected, listened to and fully supported.

Young carers are children and young people under 18 who help look after a family member who is disabled, physically or mentally ill or has a substance misuse problem. Young carers may be caring for a parent, a sibling, grandparent or other relative or person close to the family. In some cases a young carer may be caring for more than one family member. Many young carers also help care for younger siblings.

A young carer may be a primary carer or supporting another person with caring tasks. When identifying a young carer the main focus should be the impact on the child, rather than the hours spent, type, or level of caring tasks.

Caring can involve physical and/or emotional care, or taking responsibility for someone’s safety or well - being. Young carers are carrying out tasks and responsibilities which are additional to those appropriate for their age.

The person they look after may have one or more of the following:

• Physical disability
• Mental health issues
• Learning difficulties
• Alcohol or drug misuse
• Long-term illness

The person they care for may be a parent, sibling, or grandparent.

Ladywood Primary and Nursery School acknowledges that young carers may need additional support to access and maintain the education to which they are entitled.

Through this policy, Ladywood Primary and Nursery School is giving the message that young carers’ education is important and we will support young carers in making the most of their educational opportunity and to enjoy the same experiences as their peers without caring responsibilities.

The school will encourage, support and monitor young carers progress as agreed in their personal support plan.

David Stevens is Ladywood Primary School's Young Carers Champion

If you need any further information or support please contact school: 0115 9320585

or email: [email protected]