It’s estimated that there are 700,000 young carers in the UK, and the National Young Carer’s Coalition believe that the number could be even higher than this! Based on the recent research from the Children’s Society and Princess Royal Trust for Carers many young carers feel…
Isolated from their peers within school, after all how can another child with no personal experience of living with a sick/ disabled family member really understand how the young carer feels?
All too often schools don’t offer enough support for young carers.
**Recent surveys showed that 2/3 of young carers are bullied in school.
60% do not think their teachers understand what life is like for them and over 50% do not feel supported, although teachers are aware of their caring role.
39% said that none of their teachers were aware that they were a young carer. **
Worried – Very often the children worry whilst they are in school.
Is my Mum/ Dad / brother/ sister/ grandparent alright? Are they having a bad day?
How much longer till I can get home and be there for them?
** Research showed that 38% worry about the person they care for while they are at school **
70% of the children surveyed agreed that “being a young carer has made my life more difficult”.
The Children’s Commissioner’s report (Full of care/ All right Gov) stated that young carers wanted more recognition and 54% felt that they only got support when they reached a crisis point “too little, too late!”
The Children’s Society and Princess Royal Trust for carers have created a schools resource pack to enable schools to teach awareness of disability and young carers issues amongst their pupils as well as it giving the school step by step guides of how best to support young carers within their schools.
It’s available as a free to download online resource, and the link is http://professionals.carers.org/professionals/youngcarers/articles/schools-resource-pack,6282,PR.html
These children truly are a hidden army doing an incredible job within society and are a true credit to this country.
We should be supporting them at every given opportunity.
Resources
Princess Royal Trust for Carers ** http://www.carers.org/news/over-two-thirds-young-carers-bullied-school ***
National Young Carer’s Coalition Comments **http://ht.ly/3odp9 ***
Full of care/ All Right Gov. ** http://www.childcomwales.org.uk/uploads/publications/138.pdf **
For more info on IH visit the IH Research foundation –** http://www.ihrfoundation.org **
Crossroads Care -** http://www.crossroads.org.uk **
For more details on Caitlin’s Wish please go to – **http://www.caitlinswish.co.uk**