At North Gosforth Academy, we know some of our students will be young carers. We understand that being a young carer can have a significant impact on a young person. At North Gosforth, we seek to provide a culture of support and understanding to assist our students in flourishing both inside and outside of the classroom. We are conscious of the additional challenges that young carers may face. We aim to meet the needs of young carers in a nurturing environment of care and support, as well as providing extensive opportunities. This allows students, whatever barrier they face, to succeed beyond school.

Our designated teacher for young carers is Miss Binns (Lead Teacher of Pastoral Care). Each Head of Year has undergone specific and rigorous training to aid the identification and support of our young carers in at North Gosforth.

Who is a young carer?

"Young carers are students under the age of 18 who regularly help to look after someone in their family. This may be a sibling, a parent or aanother family member. The person they help may have a physical disability, sensory disability, learning disability, mental health issues, chronic illness or substance misuse".

What does a young carer do?

A young carer can have additional roles and responsibilities compared to a non-carer.

They may have to do additional roles at home and may assist with the following:

• Looking after siblings
• Doing laundry
• Support with cleaning at home
• Helping to do the shopping
• Cooking meals
• Supporting someone physically e.g. helping them get dressed

How do we identify young carers?

It is important we identify young carers. This is the first step towards supporting the student. There are a number of ways a young carer may be identified.

• Self referral
• Head of Year
• Early Help Meetings
• Attendance / EWO officers
• Counselling sessions
• Transition

Once identified, parents/carers are contacted to discuss a referral. If parental consent is given, a referral is made for further support from the students' local authority in Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland - depending on where the student lives.

Our provision for young carers:

We appreciate every families circumstances are different and this means young carers may need different support. However, our provision for young carers includes the following:

• An referral for an Ease Card to access local leisure facilities for free.
• Half termly reviews with Miss Binns or the relevant head of year.
• Appointments with connexions each term to discuss future careers beyond school.
• Group activities for all young carers to participate in (eg baking).
• Access to homework clubs to support with additional work.
• Staff members to talk to, who are specially trained in the challenges a young carer may face.
• Making teaching staff aware of who is a young carer and may need further support, particularly with lates and homework.
• Referrals for counselling, if this is appropriate.
• Drop in support at any time with Miss Binns.

What should I do if I think I think my child is a young carer?

You should contact Miss Binns and request a young carer assessment. All information is held in the strictest confidence.

Further Information

If you would like to receive further information regarding young carers, contact Miss Binns: ellen.binns@northgosforth.co.uk