Our online conference focussed on improving the educational opportunities and life chances of young carers in the UK.

Attendees heard about the latest research and best practice that can help young carers thrive in education and beyond. And with a new Government in place, this conference could not be more timely.

Leading experts discussed the current and future challenges for improving identification and support for young carers in education.

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Speakers include: 

• Nick Harrison, CEO, Sutton Trust 
• Alice Wilcock, Head of Education, Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England 
• Nicola Aylward, Head of Learning for Young People, Learning and Work Institute 
• Nicola Turner, Senior Fair Access Advisor, UCAS 
• Rob Williams, Senior Policy Advisor, National Association of Headteachers
• Suzanne Carrie, Head of Student Equality and Welfare, Office for Students

See the full programme of the day

Find the full list of speakers

The morning focussed on support for young carers within schools. And in the afternoon the conference considered how to improve the opportunities for young carers in further and higher education. 

It featured informative, topical content from the young carers, school and higher education sectors, as well as hearing about innovative work from across the country.

A recording of the event, along with any slides used during the sessions, will be shared with ticket-holders after the conference.

How the conference will help you change young carers’ lives for the better

There are two young carers in every classroom across the UK. So if you work in a school, college or university you will almost certainly have met one. Even if you work in education but away from the front line you’ll probably have met a young carer.

But it’s equally probable you won’t be aware of their challenging lives away from the classroom. That’s because while young carers are everywhere, they are still largely invisible when it comes to the need for early identification and better support.

This absence of support for young carers’ education has a long term impact on their lives, limiting opportunities for further study and employment.

The conference will be a chance for you find out how you are in the best possible position to change that and make a real and lasting difference to young carers’ lives. And you will be able to learn about approaches that will have the biggest possible impact on their future opportunities.

This conference is for education professionals. That includes people working within educational settings as well as those working in local authorities and charities to improve educational opportunities for young people. 

• Date: Thursday 26th September 
• Time: 9:30am to 4pm 
• Online via Zoom