A short briefing looking at the educational experiences of young carers
Young carers in education (171 KB , PDF)
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has described an informal/unpaid carer (PDF) as: “…someone who provides unpaid help to a friend or family member needing support, perhaps due to illness, older age, disability, a mental health condition or an addiction”, as long as they are not employed to do so.
In terms of young carers, the NHS describes a young carer as someone under the age of 18, who helps to look after a family member or relative with a disability, illness, mental health condition, or drug or alcohol problem.
If the carer is in school, they might have access to counselling. In England, they might also be eligible for additional Pupil Premium funding, which goes directly to their schools. Being a young carer doesn’t itself confer entitlement to the Pupil Premium, but young carers who are or who have been eligible for free school meals will attract the funding.
In further education, students in England with caring responsibilities might be able to access discretionary bursary support for people aged 16 to 19. However, they cannot claim Carer’s Allowance.
A carer in higher education may be eligible for additional support through the UK’s respective student finance systems.
Young carers in education (171 KB , PDF)
Informal and unpaid carers provide vital support for many people with health and social care needs. However, there is growing evidence that the demands of caring are increasingly impacting carers’ own physical and mental health.
This briefing includes data on student mental health, discusses whether universities have a duty of care, and sets out government policy and sector guidance.
This briefing provides information on suicide prevention policy in schools and colleges in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. Education policy is devolved, and there are different measures in place across the UK.