Young Carers
What we offer Young Carers at Burlington Juniors
Why school support matters
Research shows young carers can struggle academically and emotionally. A significant proportion miss school or feel stressed due to caring responsibilities.
These figures highlight the importance of proactive school support systems.
- Around 27% say they struggle to balance caring with schoolwork, and many receive little support from professionals.
1) Identification, awareness and recognition
- We identify young carers and record their status, which is now part of national school census expectations in England.
- We have a named Young Carer Lead/Champion ( Pastoral Support Officer) who can coordinate support and liaise with families and services. This person is a point of contact for our children.
- Whole-school awareness training helps staff recognise signs such as lateness, tiredness, anxiety, or poor homework completion.
- Whole school assemblies from Young Carers/about young carers
- Information in school newsletters and on the school website
- We will aim to take part in programmes like the Young Carers in Schools initiative or local awards (e.g., Surrey’s Angel Award), which help embed good practice (Why this matters: young carers are a recognised vulnerable group and often under-identified.)
2) Emotional and wellbeing support
Young carers frequently experience stress and worry due to their responsibilities, so wellbeing support is a key protective factor. We can provide:
- Pastoral support sessions or counselling (e.g., learning mentor or pastoral worker)
- Safe spaces, “time-in ” rooms, or emotional regulation strategies, calm areas in classrooms. Use of zones of regulation throughout the whole school.
- Small group sessions with other young carers to reduce isolation at least half termly
- 1 to 1 check-ins with children to see how they are doing and children knowing they can talk to our Pastoral Support Officer.
3) Flexible academic support
Teachers who understand a child’s caring role are often more sympathetic and able to tailor expectations. We have raised staff awareness so that they can help pupils balance caring with learning by:
- Flexible homework deadlines
- Extra help with reading, maths, or catch-up sessions
- Understanding policies around lateness or absence linked to caring
- Inset day agenda item/discussion
4) Peer and social opportunities
Some young carers miss out on social time due to responsibilities, so these opportunities are especially important. We can reduce isolation by offering:
- After-school clubs to all young carers
- Social activities
- Opportunities to build friendships and confidence in termly snack and chat session with Pastoral Support Officer
5) Links with local services
Local charities and services also offer respite activities, advice, and family support. In and around New Malden (Royal Borough of Kingston and Surrey borders), schools can:
- Refer families to Surrey Young Carers or local borough young carers services
- Invite young carers workers into school
- Support transitions (e.g., junior → secondary school)
6) Whole-school policy and training
These programmes provide staff training, templates, and tools to improve outcomes for this group. Our policies recognising young carers as a vulnerable group. Over the next 2 years we will aim to adopt a recognised framework such as:
- Young Carers in Schools (YCiS) programme (Carers Trust & Children’s Society)
https://youngcarersinschools.com/
- “Angel Award” or similar schemes developed with Surrey young carers
- https://youngcarersinschools.com/what-is-the-award/
- 7) Awareness and anti-stigma work
This reduces stigma and helps children feel recognised and valued and belong at BJS. We raise awareness by :
- Planning assemblies and PSHE lessons about caring roles