Caring is Learning Programme
Research tells us that young carers in poverty are less likely to reach attainment goals in school. Our Caring is Learning programme, funded by The Robertson Trust, is working collaboratively with our network of local carer organisations, wider education stakeholders and strategic partners to ensure big systems change that aims to ensure young carers are able to fulfil their aspirations and not be disadvantaged due to their caring role.
One strand of this work is to test local approaches to supporting young carers’ access to and engagement with education, with the intention of gathering a body of evidence on solutions that work for young carers living in areas of multiple deprivation that can have a lasting impact on reducing their poverty and trauma.
We are collaborating with three local carer organisations, who have developed projects -alongside young carers - that are relevant to the challenges in their local area, to test and learn about the impact of these interventions.
Test & Learn site summaries:
Dundee Carers Centre
2BUpBeet aims to improve outcomes for young adult carers aged 15–25 in Dundee who face significant challenges during the transition from education to adulthood. Support includes a regular Young Adult Carers Café to provide a welcoming space to connect; health checks and wellbeing support for carers aged 15+ and personalised positive destinations support plans.
"The Young Adult Café has been a good opportunity to improve my personal skill set and confidence and supports me to access new opportunities” Young adult carer aged 17, Dundee
“I have met people I wouldn’t normally meet and learnt new things that can help me improve my quality of life” Young adult carer aged 16, Dundee
“The future seems better since I started the Young Adult Café and I know how to access help.” Young adult carer aged 17, Dundee
Carers Gateway: Inverclyde
Transitions Together provides enhanced transition support to young carers in Inverclyde by offering a bespoke programme over spring and summer school holidays. This programme will include a confidence building activities and a ‘Managing Emotions’ workshop to enable them to have a toolbox of coping strategies making their transition into high school easier.
“This is the best day ever!” Young carer about Young Carers Fun Day held at school, Inverclyde
“The Fun Day helped us build on our relationship with school staff and raise awareness of young carers” Young Carers Support Worker, Carers Gateway Inverclyde
“It's really important to have this time so the children can enjoy themselves and not have to think of their caring responsibilities and to know they are part of a wider community who are in a similar situation." Principal teacher, Inverclyde
“One primary school has welcomed us in to run weekly groups and has referred 30 young carers to our service.” Project lead, Carers Gateway Inverclyde
Renfrewshire Carers Centre
Young Carers Study Buddies offers bespoke study support for young carers in secondary school, with the subjects and content tailored to each individual’s needs and delivered 1:1 by subject specialist tutors. These teachers are recruited from local schools who are passionate about improving young carers educational engagement and attainment. The carers centre also provides a nurturing and safe space in which to study.
“The session quickly shifted from a collection of unrelated teachers to a ‘team’ of passionate tutors for young carers, who, from their vantage point within the ‘system’, could see the opportunities for a better way of working. And a pathway to achieving change.” Project lead at Renfrewshire Carers Centre
“We had not managed to identify a physics teacher for a young carer who needed grades to pursue a clinical career. They [the tutors] promised to get one by the next day – and they did!” Project lead at Renfrewshire Carers Centre
40%
of young carers reported ‘never’ or ‘not often’ getting help in education to help balance caring and school, college or university work.
30%
of young carers do not feel they receive support as a young carer transitioning from primary to secondary school
Young carers are 38% less likely to graduate and, when caring 35 hours or more a week, are 46% less likely to enter employment.
Are you a young carer?
We want to hear from you! Help us understand what school is really like when you're balancing it with caring for someone at home. Your voice matters and will help shape support for young carers across Scotland. Click below to take part and share your experience.
Young Carers Education Expert Panel
This is an exciting opportunity to shape how we improve schools for young carers across Scotland. We’re recruiting young adult carers just out of school (16 – 21 years old) who are passionate about improving education to be part of our Expert Panel! There will be two meetings per year, one online and one in person. Renumeration of £50 per panel member, per meeting attended.
Register your interest here.
