Young Carers

The staff responsible for leading on Young Carers are:

Mrs S Burani

Mrs S Moore

Miss L Gibbons

Young Carers are children and young people under 19 years old who provide unpaid care, help or support to a family member, friend or neighbour who could not manage otherwise as they are physically or mentally ill, disabled, elderly or misuse alcohol or drugs.

Quite often, young people do not recognise themselves as ‘carers’ and often see themselves as just relatives, friends or neighbours who find themselves in a caring situation, sometimes very suddenly, sometimes gradually, and they simply get on with what needs to be done.

A carer may not always live with the person they care for, but their help may be essential in enabling that person to go on living independently.

It can help to know that you are a carer as it is a way of recognising that what you are doing is a very important job. Caring can be demanding both physically and emotionally. It may help to know that your work is recognised by others, and that there are people and services to support you in your role.

What might a Young Carer do?

· Practical tasks, such as cooking, housework and shopping.

· Physical care, such as helping someone out of bed.

· Offer emotional support, such as talking to someone who is distressed.

· Personal care, such as helping someone get dressed.

· Managing the family budget and collecting prescriptions.

· Helping to administer medicine.

· Helping someone to communicate.

· Looking after siblings.

Young Carers are receiving the support they need after being identified by us. If your child is a Young Carer and they have not been identified as one, please do not hesitate to contact:

Youngcarers@townsend.herts.sch.uk

Our Young Carers have access to a dedicated Showbie Classroom where they can access resources to support them as well as a dedicated email address where they can speak to staff about any concerns, worries or questions they may have.

We have Young Carers activities throughout the year, such as a Summer Term cooking afternoon and an Autumn term Bowling Trip.

Further support

https://www.carersinherts.org.uk/young-carers/

https://www.nhs.uk/social-care-and-support/support-and-benefits-for-carers/help-for-young-carers/