Supporting Young Carers at St Mary's Catholic Primary School
At St Mary's Catholic Primary School, we recognise that some children and young people have caring responsibilities at home. We are committed to ensuring that all pupils have the opportunity to learn, thrive and achieve their full potential, regardless of their circumstances outside school. Our approach is rooted in compassion, understanding and the belief that every child deserves the support they need to succeed.
What is a Young Carer?
A young carer is a child or young person under the age of 18 who helps to care for a family member who may have:
- A physical illness or disability
- A long-term health condition
- A mental health difficulty
- An alcohol or substance misuse issue
Young carers may provide practical support, emotional support, supervision, or help with day-to-day tasks that are beyond what would normally be expected for their age.
How Being a Young Carer Can Affect Children
Young carers often balance school life with significant responsibilities at home. This can sometimes lead to:
- Tiredness and difficulty concentrating
- Worry, anxiety or emotional distress
- Reduced time for homework or extracurricular activities
- Attendance or punctuality concerns
- Feelings of isolation
- Lower confidence and self-esteem
At St Mary's, we understand these challenges and are committed to providing appropriate support.
Our Young Carers Lead
Our designated Young Carers Lead is Sarah Thirling.
Sarah is available to provide support, guidance and a listening ear for pupils who have caring responsibilities. She works closely with families, staff and external agencies to ensure young carers receive the support they need both in school and beyond.
How We Support Young Carers
At St Mary's we will:
- Identify and support young carers sensitively and confidentially.
- Provide a safe and trusted adult for pupils to talk to.
- Raise awareness amongst staff of the challenges young carers may face.
- Work closely with families and external support services.
- Respect pupils' privacy and only share information when it is necessary to support them.
- Help pupils access additional emotional and practical support where appropriate.
- Ensure young carers can fully participate in school life and achieve their potential.
- Promote understanding and awareness of young carers through our wider curriculum.
Information for Parents and Carers
If you think your child may be a young carer, or if circumstances at home have changed and you would like support, please contact Sarah Thirling through the school office. Early identification helps us ensure that the right support is in place for your child.
All information shared with school will be treated sensitively and in line with our safeguarding and confidentiality procedures.
Our Commitment
As a Catholic school, we are committed to living out our values of dignity, compassion and service. We recognise the invaluable contribution that young carers make to their families and are dedicated to ensuring that they feel supported, understood and able to flourish both academically and personally.