Promoting understanding this Young Carers Awareness Day

Today (30 January) is Young Carers Awareness Day – a day where we give thanks for all the amazing hard work that young carers around the country do, and raise awareness of the issues and challenges facing them.

Every day, across the country, thousands of young people are helping to take care of a family member or friend who has a disability, illness or mental health condition.

WHAT IS A YOUNG CARER?

Anyone under the age of 18 who takes on these responsibilities is known as a young carer, and it’s estimated that one in five young people have a caring role in the UK.

In Scotland, there are around 29,000 young carers, meaning your puplils may have caring responsibilities without you even knowing.

The care provided may take many different forms. Young carers may have to:

• Carry out additional chores at home, such as helping to clean the house, cook meals and do the food shopping.
• Help with personal care, such as getting dressed, washing or eating.
• Provide physical care, such as getting in and out of bed, or helping in and out of a wheelchair.
• Take on the responsibility of managing the house’s finances, and paying bills.
• Look after siblings.
• Offer emotional support.
• Take time out of school to carry out their caring responsibilities.

CHALLENGES

The additional responsibilities that come with being a young carer can affect a young person’s health, social life and self-confidence.

And, for 39 per cent of young carers, no one at school is aware of their caring role, meaning they’re not getting support from their teachers, and school services.

In fact, 26 per cent of young carers have been bullied because of their caring role, and one in 20 have had to take time out of school to care for their loved one.

SUPPORT

For many young carers, they simply wish their peers, teachers and others in the wider community understood the additional responsibilities they have, and the effect it can have on them, which is why events such as Young Carers Awareness Day are so important.

For teachers, it’s vital that you’re able to support your pupils who may have caring responsibilities. Early intervention is key, according to Carers Trust. This includes identifying and supporting young carers early, and ensuring there are no barriers to them continuing with their education.

Adjustments in the classroom may have to be made, to enable them to reach their full potential in the classroom, while balancing their caring role. This could include considering to let them work from home a few hours a week, and holding regular meetings to discuss how they’re coping.

Today, you can raise awareness by visiting the Carers Trust or Carers UK websites, learning about the responsibilities young carers have, and sharing this with friends, family, pupils, co-workers and on social media.

How are you marking Young Carers Awareness Day? Let us know on Facebook.