Introduction

Life at school or college provides challenges for all young people, but for those who have a caring role at home there are often additional problems that arise in their education. Commonly* there are issues with attendance, behaviour, achievement and home-school communication.

Our Education Advisers are on hand to assist education settings in supporting these students. Their service is free, and includes:

• Consultations to advise and assist staff
• Briefings with INSET days and staff meetings
• Developing the means to identify and support young carers
• Assembly talks to students
• Listening support, information and advocacy for students
• PSHE resources for Key Stages 2, 3 and 4

By raising awareness in this way, education professionals are more able to address the issues affecting young carers such as attendance, behaviour, achievement and communication with parents.

*Surrey County Council and Ofsted are highlighting the need to identify, safeguard and support this often vulnerable group as over 20% of young carers have difficulties with their education. For children living with a family member with a drug or alcohol dependency, this proportion is estimated to be at 40% (Source: Dearden & Becker, Young Carers in the UK, 2004).

For more information on SYC, download our statement of service (MS Word download)