Advice for Young Carers

Managing school and caring

You might not want your school to know that you are a young carer. But if they don’t know about your situation, it will be difficult for teachers to understand if you are missing lessons, struggling to keep up in class or not doing your homework.

If you don’t feel able to talk to a teacher or pastoral worker at school, ask someone in your family to write a letter to the school, to your form tutor or head of school.

There are lots of ways your school can help including:

  • extra time for school work
  • help for your parents to travel to parents’ evenings if they have trouble leaving the house
  • homework clubs
  • arrange for a young carers worker to talk to you
  • being allowed to use a phone during breaks and lunchtime so you can check on the person you’re looking after

If you are struggling at school because of your caring responsibilities, get in touch. You can call us on 0800 083 1148. Our telephone lines are open 9am-5pm Monday to Friday and all calls are free.

Is your school Young Carer Friendly?