Young Carers

Pinkwell Primary School: Whole School commitment to Young Carers and
their families
At Pinkwell Primary School we are committed to developing provision for young
carers and their families, so that they can attend school, enjoy their learning and fully
participate in all areas of school life. We are committed to overcoming barriers to
learning and help raise attendance and attainment of young carers.
A young carer is any young person who helps look after someone in their family –
this may be due to illness, disability, mental health problems or an addiction.
Statistics show that there are likely to be young carers in every school; one in ten
young carers are under ten years old.
At Pinkwell Primary School we will capture the commitment by widening our
provision, building on the needs of the young people and better meet young carers’
needs by reviewing Pinkwell Primary school’s provision for young carers, with a view
to ultimately achieving best practice.
How we will achieve this:
 The whole school is committed to meeting the needs of young carers so that
they can attend and enjoy school in the same way as other pupils/students
and achieve their potential.
 The school has a designated Young Carers’ School Lead and a Young
Carers’ Operational Lead, who are responsible for young carers and their
families. Pupils and families will be made aware of the identity of this lead and
how to contact them to access support.
 The school only shares information with professionals and agencies on a
need to know basis in order to support pupils and their families.
 The school uses Pupil Premium funding to minimise any barriers to education
and learning experienced by eligible young carers.
 The school has an effective referral system and strong partnership in place
with relevant external agencies, including the school nurse and the local
young carers’ service.

 The school takes a proactive approach to identifying young carers.
 The school reduces barriers to education and learning and supports the
wellbeing of young carers.
 The school understands the needs of families of young carers.
 The school will actively seek feedback and ideas from young carers and their
families to shape and improve support.
We will strive to achieve best practice for pupils and families in our school in order to
provide them with the best chance of success in their future.
At Pinkwell Primary School our Young Carers Lead is Janine Johnson and Diann
Powell is our Young Carers Operational Lead. If you think your child may be a young
carer, please contact them via the school office to discuss any help or support we
can offer our young carers and their families.

Further information about Young Carers can be found at the following links:

Carers Trust Hillingdon:
https://carerstrusthillingdon.org/young-carers-services/
Young Minds:
https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/young-carers/
Carers Trust UK:
https://carers.org/getting-support-if-you-are-a-young-carer-or-young-adult-
carer/getting-support-if-you-are-a-young-carer-or-young-adult-carer
NHS:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/support-and-benefits-
for-carers/help-for-young-carers/