Young Carers at Farnborough Road Junior School

A Young Carer is a child or young person who, without payment, provides help and support to a parent, sibling or other family member, who could not manage without their help. This could be due to age, physical or mental illness, addiction or disability.

They take on practical and emotional tasks that normally would be undertaken by an adult. The tasks and level of caring undertaken by a young carer can vary, according to the nature of the illness or disability, the level and frequency of care required and the structure of the family unit.

A young person may engage in:

• Practical tasks (cooking, housework and shopping)
• Physical care (lifting or helping someone use the stairs)
• Personal care (dressing, washing, helping with toilet needs)
• Managing the family budget (collecting benefits and prescriptions)
• Managing medication
• Looking after younger siblings
• Helping someone communicate

Research suggests there are at least 800,000 young carers in the UK but many do not realise they are a young carer. They are most often providing care to someone in their family, such as a parent or sibling, with a physical illness which is often long term. The activities most likely to be undertaken by young carers are housework, shopping, cooking, looking after younger siblings and offering emotional care and support. 

We know that many young carers face additional challenges and demands that may impact on their capacity to enjoy and do well at school. At Farnborough Road Junior School we are part of the Young Carers in School Programme, run jointly by Carers Trust and The Children's Society, to develop the support we offer in school. We are committed to ensuring that all pupils who are young carers are identified and supported effectively.

Mrs Spall is our designated Young Carers lead who can be contacted by phone: 01704 577625 or by email: alexspall@frjs.co.uk. She is available to support you and your children so please do contact her to find out what services are available for children who are Young Carers.

Sefton Young Carers are also a good source of advice and support.

Website: www.sefton-carers.org.uk 

Email: help@carers.sefton.gov.uk

Phone: 0151 288 6060