The definition of a “young carer is “ a person under 18 who regularly helps look after someone in their family, or a friend, who is ill, disabled or misuses drugs or alcohol.

There are approximately 700,000 young carers in the UK (BBC 2010) and there are likely to be young carers in every school.

Young carers care for someone with an illness or disability, mental health condition or someone who misuses drugs or alcohol.

What might a young carer do?

●        Practical tasks, such as cooking, housework and shopping

●        Physical care, such as helping someone out of bed

●        Emotional support

●        Personal care, such as helping someone dress

●        Helping someone communicate

●        Looking after brothers and sisters.

Being a young carer can have a big impact on the things that are important to growing up.   It can affect their health, social life and self-confidence.   Many young carers struggle to juggle their education and caring which can cause stress.

Great Wakering Primary Academy are committed to supporting young carers in school.

If you feel your child could be considered a young carer, please email the inclusion team using a dedicated email address:   youngcarers@greatwakering.essex.sch.uk