Young Carers
At Sir Robert Pattinson Academy we are a young carer friendly school and recognise the difficulties our young carers may experience with their attendance, attainment and their general well-being.
Who are young carers?
A young carer is someone under the age of 18 who looks after a family member or friend who has an illness, a disability, is affected by mental ill-health or misuses substances such as alcohol or drugs. They may also look after brothers, sisters or elderly relatives too. Carers could be as young as five.
A young carer may undertake some or all of the following:
- Practical tasks, such as cooking, housework and shopping.
- Physical care, such as lifting, helping a parent on stairs or with physiotherapy.
- Personal care, such as dressing, washing, helping with toileting needs.
- Managing the family budget, collecting benefits and prescriptions.
- Administering medication.
- Looking after or “parenting” younger siblings.
- Emotional support.
- Interpreting, due to a hearing or speech impairment or because English is not the family’s first language
Miss J Lilley supports this group of students and ensures new students to the academy are aware of what support is available. We can provide students with confidential support and advice through our school mentoring programme and we allow young carers to telephone home during break and lunch-times. Staff are also aware of who our young carers are in the Academy. Students, staff and parents also have access to our Young carers email address: youngcarers@srpa.co.uk.
If you think your child is a young carer, please contact Miss J Lilley, Attendance Officer, Young Carers Lead: JLilley@srpa.co.uk
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