Support for Children and Families - St George's Church of England Primary Academy

What is a Young Carer?

A Young Carer is a child under 18 years of age who looks after a member of the family who is sick, disabled or has a mental illness. This may mean they do shopping, cleaning, washing, or cooking; it may mean they give support or help emotionally too.

As many as 1 in 12 pupils in the UK could be a young carer. That’s the equivalent to 2 in every class!

What might a Young Carer’s role involve?

The tasks and level of caring undertaken by young carers can vary according to the nature of the illness or disability, the level and frequency of need for care, and the structure of the family, as a whole.

Young Carers often take on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities which would normally be expected of an adult.

These can include:

Practical tasks – cooking, housework and shopping.
Physical care – lifting or helping someone use the stairs.
Personal care – dressing, washing, helping with toileting needs.
Emotional support – listening, calming, being present.
Managing the family budget, collecting benefits and prescriptions.
Medication management.
Looking after younger siblings.
Helping someone communicate.

How do St George's support Young Carers?

Internal support

The school young carers' leads are Mrs Earnshaw and Mrs Nahavandipour.

We hold weekly drop-in sessions every Monday break and lunchtime and a monthly after-school themed club. The dates for the after-school sessions are sent home in a letter, emailed to families and also in our newsletters each week.

We help our children understand the challenges and rewards faced by Young Carers, through assemblies and our PSHE lessons.

Our school has a Young Carers noticeboard which contains information and support for our children.

We have a support email: geofamilysupport@stcmat.org

External support

Young Carers support Hub - Link
Barnardo’s - Link
The Children’s Society - Link
Lives Plymouth - Link
Time 4 u Link
Carers Trust - Link
Young Minds - Link
Sibs - Link

We are currently in the process of recruiting a new Family Support worker.

Whilst we are in the process of trying to recrit a replacement, Liz Rowe from the MAST team weill be in school every Tuesday 8:30-11:00 if you need a listening ear, advice or signposting to support. No need to book, just pop to the office to sign in.

Please also remember that you are able to pop in to see Mrs Earnshaw or make an appointment for a meeting. Staff are available on the playground before school too.

Things Family Support worker can support you with: