Young Carers

 

Dear Parent/Carer,

I am writing to ask if your child is a young carer.

We want to make sure that any young person carrying out a young carer role gets the support they need and knows who to speak to, if they need to at any time.

What exactly is a Young Carer?

The following definition is taken form the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/support-and-benefits-for-carers/being-a-young-carer-your-rights/

• You're a young carer if you're under 18 and help to look after a relative with a disability, illness, mental health condition, or drug or alcohol problem.
• If you're a young carer, you probably look after one of your parents or care for a brother or sister*.
• You may do extra jobs in and around the home, such as cooking, cleaning or helping someone get dressed and move around.
• You may also give a lot of physical help to a parent, brother or sister who's disabled or ill.
• Along with doing things to help your brother or sister, you may be giving them and your parents emotional support, too.

*This could also be another family member

So, a young carer is not a young person who is asked to do the odd household chore or occasionally mind a younger sibling. It is rather someone who has to provide regular care, which the care receiver relies on.

If your child is a young carer, it may be that they will require additional support in school in some way. Perhaps there will be a need for an occasional homework extension? Perhaps the young person would benefit from meeting other young people in a similar situation. It may be that they would enjoy getting involved in clubs and extra-curricular opportunities that do not impact on their caring responsibilities?

Please email m.nutt@bishopchalloner.bham.sch.uk and let me know if your child is a young carer, or if you would like to discuss this further. I would also be happy to discuss this with you on the phone. Alternatively, get in touch with your child’s Head of Year.

Please let us know by Tuesday 17th January. Any information received will be treated with appropriate confidentiality and, of course, if circumstances change, we would welcome you getting in touch at any time.

 

Kind regards

Mrs Nutt

Assistant Principal