Young Carers

Who is a Young Carer?

Is your child caring for someone? If so, we can help support them in school by attending our Young Carers Group (please see further down for what this looks like).  

Do they look after someone who cannot manage without them because they are ill, frail or have a disability?

Young carers are children or young people who care for someone (parents, siblings and grandparents) in their own home who has:

• A learning disability
• Suffering with their mental health
• A physical disability
• An illness (long term or short term)
• Drug or an alcohol dependency

Do you feel like your child may be a young carer for someone at home? If so, please contact Miss Allen or Miss Malik, our two Young Carer Champions; either in person, via telephone on 01494713471 or via email office@widmerend.bucks.sch.uk

Widmer End Community Combined School - School Commitment

We have a whole school commitment to Young Carers and their families. We are committed to developing provision for young carers and their families so that they can attend school, enjoy their learning and fully participate in all areas of school life. We are committed to overcoming barriers to learning and help raise attendance and attainment of our young carers.

Statistics show that there are likely to be young carers in every school; one in ten young carers are under ten years old.

At Widmer End Community Combined School we will capture the commitment by widening our provision, building on the needs of the young people and better meet young carers’ needs by reviewing our provision for young carers, with a view to ultimately achieving best practice every year. 

How we will achieve this:

• The whole school is committed to meeting the needs of young carers so that they can attend and enjoy school in the same way as other pupils/students and achieve their potential.
• The school has 2 designated Young Carers’ Champions - Miss Allen and Miss Malik - who are responsible for young carers and their families. Pupils and families will be made aware of the identity of this lead and how to contact them to access support.
• The school only shares information with professionals and agencies on a need to know basis in order to support pupils and their families.
• The school uses Pupil Premium funding to minimise any barriers to education and learning experienced by eligible young carers.
• The school has an effective referral system and strong partnership in place with relevant external agencies, including the school nurse and the local young carers’ service.
• The school takes a proactive approach to identifying young carers and will reach out to our families to ensure none are missed.
• The school reduces barriers to education and learning and supports the wellbeing of young carers.
• The school understands the needs of families of young carers.
• The school will actively seek feedback and ideas from young carers and their families to shape and improve support.
• We hold assemblies, have a display board and speak openly about Young Carers so there is a whole school understanding of what they are. 

Young Carers - support outside of school

If you wish to explore your child receiving support being a Young Carer, but outside of school, please click on this link: Young Carers Bucks

This will take you to their web page that will provide you with direct Young Carers support when registered. You do not have to be a Young Carer already receiving support in school to access support externally.