Young Carers
Young Carers at Banks Road Primary School
At Banks Road Primary School, we are committed to identifying and supporting young carers—children and young people under 18 who provide significant physical or emotional care for a family member.
Who is a Young Carer?
A young carer may be supporting a:
- Parent or sibling with a mental health condition
- Parent or sibling with a physical disability
- Parent or sibling with substance misuse issues
- Parent or sibling with learning disabilities
- Parent or sibling with a chronic or terminal illness
Their responsibilities can affect their education, wellbeing, and social development.
How We Support Young Carers
Banks Road Primary School recognises the challenges young carers face and offers tailored support to help them thrive:
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Named Staff Contacts:
Our Young Carers Lead is Mr James Savage (Deputy Headteacher). In his absence, Miss Claire Gainey (Assistant Headteacher) will support. -
Staff Awareness and Reporting:
All staff are trained to identify and refer concerns about young carers, following our Safeguarding and Child Protection Policy. -
Flexible Attendance Support:
We understand that caring responsibilities may affect punctuality. We work with families to address underlying causes and offer appropriate support. -
Confidentiality and Respect:
Young carers are not required to disclose their situation unless they feel comfortable. Their privacy is respected at all times. -
Practical Support:
- Access to a homework club
- Use of a phone during breaks to contact home
- Private space to talk to a trusted adult
- Alternative arrangements for parents with mobility or sensory impairments
- Support with transport and communication for families facing barriers
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Transition Support:
When a young carer moves to another school, we ensure their needs are communicated (with consent) to support continuity of care. -
Safeguarding:
If a child is carrying out an inappropriate caring role that places them at risk, we will act immediately in line with our safeguarding procedures.
Working Together
We work with external agencies to ensure young carers can access:
- Emotional support
- Practical help
- Referrals to specialist services
We also commit to ongoing staff training to ensure our team understands the unique challenges young carers face.