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Young Carers
What is a Young Carer or a Young Adult Carer?
A Young Carer is somebody aged between 5 and 13, who is caring for or emotionally affected by a family member who has a physical or mental illness, disability or misuses drugs or alcohol.
A Young Adult Carer is somebody aged between 14 and 25, who is caring for or emotionally affected by a family member who has a physical or mental illness, disability or misuses drugs or alcohol.
A Sibling Carer is a young person who is affected by a brother or sister’s disability, illness or additional need.
While some Young Carers and Sibling Carers offer practical help, others may give more emotionally. For example, caring for a parent with a physical condition may involve physical help such as getting dressed or with the cooking but caring for a parent with ill mental health, or who misuses drugs or alcohol involves more emotional guidance and support.
Young Carers might feel the need to keep an eye on the person they care for to check they are ok.
(Definition taken from Suffolk Family Carer’s website)
How do we identify Young Carers at Debenham?
Some young people come to us from primary school having been involved in the Young Carers organisation and we find out that way. However to ensure we do not miss anyone out, annually we hold assemblies to remind students what a Young Carer is, followed by distributing a very simple questionnaire to all students in the school. The students identify themselves.
What do we do with this information?
1)The names from the questionnaire are collated and shared with staff. Therefore, staff can keep an eye on these students, for example:
- Be aware when difficult topics are taught that they may need time out or checking on
- Understand, and support, with issues with homework and organisation
- Ensure they can access enrichment opportunities such as field trips
2) We invite all students on the list to a Half-termly Drop In where they can meet informally with other young people and have contact with a representative from Suffolk Young Carers
How do we support Young Carers at Debenham High School?
- Through knowing who these students are, staff can offer practical support as well as an ear to listen when needed
- Through raising awareness among all students and staff via assemblies; PSHE and staff training opportunities
- A Half-termly Drop In for networking and raising important issues on an agenda set by the students
- Access to the Suffolk Young Carer school representative for support
- Signposting to the services provided by Suffolk Young Carers and support in being referred. Further information about Suffolk Young Carers can be found at https://suffolkfamilycarers.org/young-carers/
The Drop In
The Drop In happens once a half-term. Each person on the list is given a personal invitation and the chance to bring a friend. The Drop Ins are informal, involving a chance to eat some snacks; play games; do craft activities; talk about specific issues on request. In the summer, we go out onto the field for a picnic and to play with the parachute.
Young Carer Awards
Currently the school has a Gold Award for their provision for Young carers and is close to achieving the Platinum Award.
If you have any queries about Young Carers, please contact Louise Ramsay on lramsay@debenhamhigh.co.uk