Across the Kingsbridge Education Trust, there has been a growing focus on supporting young carers to achieve their best in school and feel supported. This work began at Oakgrove Secondary School and is now filtering down to the Primary schools across the trust. Our aim is to raise awareness of young carers, identify who might be in need of some extra support and work with families to provide this.

Who could be identified as a young carer?

A young carer is a young person aged 5 – 18 who looks after someone who couldn’t manage without their help. This could mean looking after a parent, brother or sister, grandparent or family friend who has a disability, long term illness, or drug and alcohol related issues. 

As many as one in 12 pupils could be a young carer, and unless the school is advised about a pupil’s home circumstances, young carers risk first being identified by negative aspects of their behaviour or work. Some young carers worry about bullying and may be tired, worried, find it difficult to concentrate and have limited time for friendships and activities after school. If this is the case, we can help.

How can the school help?

We can provide extra help for young carers by offering homework clubs, drop in sessions, mentoring support from a peer or teacher and other school issues that may arise. As a school we work with Young Carers MK in order to supplement our own systems and provide a wider range of activities for young carers in the area. 

Identifying young carers at Monkston

Young carers at Monkston may be identified through a family referral or by a class teacher. The referral is completely confidential and is in place to support and your child to achieve their best.  

If you think that you have a Young Carer in your household, please email youngcarers@monkston.org with your name, name of the pupil (Young Carer) and the best method of contact or call reception and request a call back from one of the young carer’s team.

If your child’s class teacher completes a referral for your child, then someone from the team will be in touch to discuss this referral with you before any action is taken.

If you want to talk to an independent organisation around caring, go to https://carersmiltonkeynes.org/information-for-_carers/young-carers/, advice and support, and you could also look at the support offered by Young Minds at youngminds.org.uk/find-help/looking-after-yourself/young-carers/ 

For more immediate support young carers are able to text YM to 85258 in order to message crisis support at Young Minds or call Carers UK Support on 0808 808 7777.