Young Carers

We are proud to be a Young Carers School, recognising and supporting pupils who help care for a family member with a disability, illness, mental health condition, or additional needs. Being a Young Carers School means that we are committed to understanding the unique challenges young carers may face and ensuring they feel valued, supported, and able to achieve their full potential. We work to create a caring and inclusive environment where young carers are identified sensitively, listened to, and given access to appropriate support, helping them balance their responsibilities at home with a happy and successful school experience.

How We Identify Young Carers

At our school, we recognise that young carers may not always identify themselves as having a caring role. We work closely with pupils, families, and staff to identify young carers sensitively and appropriately. This may be through information shared during admissions, conversations with parents and carers, pastoral support meetings, staff observations, attendance and wellbeing monitoring, or self-referral by pupils. We also raise awareness of young carers throughout the school so that pupils feel confident seeking support if they need it. Once identified, we work in partnership with families and relevant agencies to ensure young carers receive the understanding and support they need to thrive both in school and at home.

What Happens After a Young Carer Is Identified?

Once a young carer has been identified, we work closely with the pupil and their family to understand their individual circumstances and any support they may need. A designated member of staff will meet with the young carer to listen to their experiences and discuss any barriers they may face in school. Together, we will agree on appropriate support, which may include regular check-ins, access to pastoral support, flexibility around homework or attendance where needed, opportunities to take part in young carer activities, and signposting to specialist services such as Brentford Young Carers. We review support regularly to ensure it continues to meet the young carer's needs and helps them achieve their full potential. Our aim is to ensure that every young carer feels understood, supported, and able to thrive both academically and emotionally.