Young Carers
What is a Young Carer?
A Young Carer can be a person under the age of 18 who helps to care for a family member or friend who has a disability, long-term physical illness, mental health condition, learning difficulty or substance misuse issue.
The care provided by a young carer often goes beyond the level of help that would normally be expected of a child of the same age. Caring responsibilities may include household tasks, personal care, emotional support, communication support and caring for younger siblings.
How do we support our Young Carers at Orchard View?
We aim to provide a safe, welcoming and understanding environment where children feel comfortable asking for help.
At Orchard View, we want to:
- Help young carers feel listened to and understood.
- Provide a trusted adult they can talk to.
- Recognise the individual needs and circumstances of each child.
- Support children's emotional wellbeing, learning and friendships.
- Help children feel included in school life and celebrate their achievements.
- Work in partnership with families to identify appropriate support.
Helping Young Carers to thrive
At Orchard View Primary Academy, we believe every child has the right to access a high-quality education and take part fully in school life, regardless of their circumstances at home.We recognise that some pupils have caring responsibilities which can affect their education, attendance, emotional wellbeing and participation in school activities. We are committed to identifying and supporting young carers within our academy community, ensuring they receive the understanding, encouragement and support they need to feel valued and achieve their full potential.
We work closely with pupils, families and external organisations, including Mobilise, to remove barriers to learning and participation. Support is tailored to each child's individual circumstances and may include:
- Regular sessions where young carers can meet, connect with and support others who may have similar experiences.
- Opportunities to take part in activities and local visits alongside young carers from other academies within the Trust.
- Regular check-ins with the Young Carers Champion to ensure children feel listened to and supported.
- Access to emotional wellbeing support and a trusted adult to talk to.
- Support to access school clubs, educational visits and enrichment activities.
- Open and supportive communication between home and school, where appropriate, to ensure individual needs are understood and met.
Through this supportive and understanding approach, we aim to ensure that young carers feel valued, included and empowered to thrive both academically and personally.
Identification of Young Carers
Orchard View Primary Academy recognises that many young carers may not identify themselves as having a caring role and may therefore remain hidden.
Young carers may be identified through:
- Self-referral by the pupil.
- Referrals from parents/carers.
- Information shared by external agencies.
- Observations from staff regarding attendance, punctuality, behaviour, wellbeing or attainment.
- Discussions during pastoral support meetings, PSHE lessons or wellbeing activities.
Identification as a young carer will always be approached sensitively, respecting the wishes and privacy of the child and their family.
What to do if you feel you need support?
If you think your child may be a young carer, or you would like to discuss the support available, please contact the academy office and ask to speak to Miss Bone our Young Carers Champion.
External support services in Buckinghamshire
Support for carers, friends and family | Care Advice Buckinghamshire
Support for unpaid carers in BuckinghamshireRegister for support from Mobilise under 16
We are here to listen, work in partnership with families and help every child feel supported at Orchard View.
