A young carer is a young person who cares for a relative with a disability, illness, mental health condition, or drug or alcohol problem. 

As many as 1 in 12 secondary school-aged children could be young carers. That is two in every class (BBC 2010)

What might a young carer do?

• Practical tasks, like cooking, housework and shopping.
• Physical care, such as helping someone out of bed. 
• Emotional support, including talking to someone who is distressed.
• Personal care, such as helping someone dress.
• Managing the family budget and collecting prescriptions.
• Helping to give medicine. 
• Helping someone communicate.
• Looking after brothers and sisters.

Caring can be an isolating experience but having the right support in place can give young carers a better chance  of succeeding in all parts of their lives. 

Miss Rayment works in the School Pastoral Office and runs the support system in school for young carers. If a pupil believes they are a young carer, support can be provided. Please encourage such pupils to reach out to Miss Rayment in the Pastoral Office or Miss Davies in the Matron’s Office. Young carers are met with one to one and we hope to soon start running group sessions. 

If pupils would like to reach out for they can do so by going to the ‘Carers in Hertfordshire’ website or by accessing the below:

https://www.carersinherts.org.uk/young-carers/support-for-young-carers/