What is a Young Carer?
A young carer is a young person, under the age of 18, who has a caring responsibility. This is usually for a family member who has a disability, long-term illness, mental illness (including depression, anxieties) or drug/alcohol substance misuse.
– Caring Together
Young Carers might care for their mum, dad or grandparents, or help their parents care for a brother or sister who is unwell, has a disability or special needs.
Young carers might help someone with:
- washing, dressing or taking medicines
- shopping, cleaning and laundry
- paying bills and organising finances
- watching over someone if they can’t be left alone
All of these count as being a Young Carer.
Young Carers often provide company and emotional support and worry about the person they care for when they are away from them.
At Valley Primary Academy, we want to support our Young Carers. We have set up a club, Valley Young Carers, which meets once every half-term, after school. We do activities and have fun together.
We have made and renewed our Flourish Pledge.
We are working towards the Caring Together Carer Friendly Tick Award.
To find out more about Young Carers at Valley Primary Academy, contact Eileen Maceachern, Assistant Head and SENCo eileen.maceachern@valleyprimary.org.uk
You can also find out more about Young Carers and the support available on these websites: