Who are Young Carers?
A young carer is a young person under the age of 18-years-old, who helps to look after a loved one with a disability, illness, mental health condition, or drug or alcohol problem.
What do Young Carers do?
Young carers do lots of different things, here are some examples of what a young carer might look like:
- A young carer might help the person they care for by doing practical tasks like cleaning the house, doing the laundry, or making meals.
- They might help someone to get around the house safely, support them at appointments with professionals or help someone to wash and dress.
- They might look after siblings, taking them to and from school or help someone communicate perhaps through interpreting or sign language.
But being a young carer isn’t just about practical tasks, some young carers provide other types of support to their loved one – like spending time with them listening and comforting them when they’re upset or keeping an eye on them to keep them safe.
Being a young carer usually means they are providing care or tasks that would be beyond the normal chores / support that other children and young people would be expected to do.
Help and Support from WHGS
Whilst we appreciate that young carers may not wish to discuss their situation at home, we aspire to treat young carers with compassion in acknowledging the important role they fulfil at home. We diligently aim to care for them in child-centred and dignified manner.
Our Young Carer’s Lead is Mrs L Likissa , who identifies Young Carers in the school, coordinates support and monitors their attendance, progress and achievement. Throughout the school year activities will be planned for our Young Care’s to take part in.
If you feel that your child would be considered a young carer, please don't hesitate to contact the school to request that they are added to our Young Carer’s Register. We would love to offer your child support so they can reach their full potential.
Other Support:
View our Young Carers Policy
Mrs L S Likissa
Young Carers Senior Leader
laura.likissa@whgs-academy.org
Telephone: 0161 226 2054