Best Practice

How many young carers are there in your school?

Statistics suggest that there are far more young carers in our primary schools than we might imagine. A new law is aiming to help better identify and support our young carers. Suzanne O'Connell explains

There are an undisclosed number of pupils in our schools who are currently undertaking care responsibilities. These can range from doing basic household tasks to personal and physical care, possibly looking after younger siblings and other family members too.

According to a definition used by the Children's Society, "young carers are children and young people under 18-years-old who provide regular and on-going care to a family member who is physically or mentally ill, disabled or misuses substances". The most recent census (2011) reported that there were 26,000 young carers in London alone.

Being a carer can place pressure on pupils that lead to unexplained absences, dips in behaviour and attainment and real difficulties participating fully in school life. It can have an emotional and social impact too, as children find themselves unable to participate with their friends in evening and weekend activities.

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