A chance to shine: why we need to support young carers in schools

It’s that time of year when schools are gearing up for the festive season and the end-of-term rush. But not every pupil is swept up in the excitement. For many young carers, the focus will be on spending long hours looking after someone at home who needs them. Young carers often fly under the radar at school. But new evidence from the Young Carers in Schools (YCiS) programme suggests that, with the right support, schools can help them flourish.

The reality for young carers

It’s surprising, but figures from the Department for Education show that nearly 70% of schools say they don’t have any young carers at all. That’s despite being asked to record them in the school census. We know there an estimated 1 million young carers aged 5 to 18 out there – that’s one or two in every classroom. So clearly, many are slipping through the net when it comes to recording.

Why does this matter? Because research, including the “Caring and Classes” reports, makes it clear that young carers face significant hurdles juggling their caring role with school. And as a result, they’re more likely to miss lessons, get suspended, struggle with their wellbeing, and find it harder to get good grades. But there is hope: when schools identify young carers and offer the right support, it can make a genuine difference to their attendance, wellbeing, and chances of success.

What Works: Lessons from the YCiS programme

The Young Carers in Schools (YCiS) programme, run by Carers Trust and The Children’s Society, is designed to help schools identify and support young carers using a whole-school approach. The latest evaluation, carried out by Mime, found that schools with the YCiS award recorded more than three times as many young carers as those without it, staff felt more confident and knowledgeable, and pupils themselves felt better understood: “I feel well supported and understood, by staff and other pupils”.

• Attendance improves: Young carers at schools with the award missed 6% fewer school days per year than young carers at other schools– that’s the equivalent of an extra 8 lessons.
• Identification improves: Schools involved in the programme are recording three times as many young carers as other schools not involved. Early identification is key to ensuring young carers get the whole school support required to improve educational opportunities for the UK’s estimated one million young carers.
• Staff training makes a difference: 87% of school staff said the award improved their understanding of young carers’ challenges.
• Raising awareness: Young Carers in Schools does not just raise awareness amongst staff. 77% saw greater understanding among all pupils, not just those who are carers.
• Wellbeing improves: 62% of school staff agreed that the emotional wellbeing of young carers had improved as a result of achieving the award - meaning more students feel supported, understood, and able to thrive.

Building a supportive whole-school culture

Real change happens when schools go beyond policies and tick-box exercises. It’s about creating a culture where young carers are seen, listened to, and supported by all staff. As one school put it, “It has been wonderful to see how the staff and children’s awareness of young carers has evolved. Children enjoy referring to our young carers display board and our young carers say coming to our lunch club makes them feel valued. It has also improved our engagement with parents of our young carers.”

Some practical steps include:

• Appointing a Young Carers Lead or Champion, so pupils know who to turn to and do not have to repeat their story time and again.
• Raising awareness through assemblies, PSHE lessons, and noticeboards.
• Asking about caring responsibilities at enrolment, and regularly reviewing attendance and progress of your young carers, as you would do for other groups of pupils often described as facing disadvantage.
• Offering flexible support to help remove barriers to learning.
• Linking up with local carers’ organisations so that your young carers can access assessments and support if needed.
• Peer support groups and drop-in sessions can give young carers a safe space to share experiences and build relationships – they aren’t just a tick box: “I like the opportunities to meet other young carers – it is good to meet people with similar experiences I can relate to.”
• Staff training is often described as a “revelation”, helping teachers understand the hidden pressures their pupils face. As one young carer said, “Knowing that teachers know the challenges we face makes us feel safe.”

Overcoming Barriers

Of course, it’s not always easy. The evaluation found that schools sometimes struggle with time, staff changes, and competing priorities. The process of putting in the necessary processes also often relies on passionate individuals. But the benefits - a more inclusive school, improved attendance, and better wellbeing - are worth the effort.

Senior leadership support is crucial. When headteachers and governors champion young carers, good practice becomes embedded and sustainable. The new Ofsted inspection framework now specifically references young carers, making this work more important than ever.

How can you help young carers at school?

Every school has young carers. Their stories may be hidden, but the impact of your support can be a game changer. As we look ahead to a new year, consider what steps your school can take.

Too many young carers miss out on a fair future. By taking action, your school can help rewrite their story - one of recognition, support, and success.

Sign up to the YCiS programme to know exactly where to go next.

This blog was written by Adem Ruggiero-Cakir, Carers Trust's Programme Manager (Education). Adem leads work on the Young Carer in Schools programme.