The Healthy Schools hot topic will change on a regular basis, to reflect the latest news and topical discussions.

Young carers

These are children and young people who take on caring responsibilities if, for example, a parent/carer is seriously ill, disabled, has mental health problems or misuses drugs or alcohol.

There are 175,000 young carers in the UK, according to official figures. But organisations working with young carers think the number is higher. These same organisations also say that the average young carer is 12 and has spent four years caring before they receive any support.

There is general concern about the level of inappropriate caring some young carers face and how this can affect their learning, development and ability to enjoy a positive childhood.

The Government report ‘Carers at the heart of the 21st century families and communities’ sets out a framework for developing support for carers and young carers over the next ten years. In relation to schools, the strategy included a commitment to embedding additional support and guidance on young carers through Healthy Schools. The Government’s aim, by 2011, is that schools should have the additional knowledge and guidance they need to support young carers effectively and as an integral part of their wider Healthy Schools activity.

Healthy Schools young carers project

The aim of the Healthy Schools young carers project is to raise awareness in Healthy Schools of the issues facing young carers and their families. This will be achieved by developing support and guidance materials to help schools address issues faced by this group.

In the first year of the project, the focus will be on a universal approach to increasing the awareness of young carers and increasing the support and guidance in the school setting. During year two the focus will be much more targeted.

What’s happened already? The Healthy Schools young carers project has been seeking the views of those working with young carers in Healthy Schools since April 2009. We are working closely with additional partners and local programmes to ensure that the guidance and resources produced will help to improve the needs and well-being of this group of children and young people.

The views of young carers is also being sought and attending the young carers festival in Southampton in July 2009 has already helped to inform the work that Healthy Schools is producing for schools.

The guidance for the Healthy Schools enhancement model is also helpful and the ‘Planning our change’ sheet on emotional health and well-being uses young carers as the example targeted group.

Advice for young carers

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers, a charity for carers with a website specifically for young carers

YouthNet UK, a charity which runs a website for young people called TheSite.org with advice on issues affecting young people (suitable for Key Stages 3 and 4)

Youngminds, a charity offering advice and support, including from other young people

Advice for professionals working with young carers

The Children's Society, a charity with the National Young Carers Initiative with advice for young carers and professionals working with young carers

Carers UK, a charity campaigning to get the voice of carers heard, with specific web pages on the needs of young carers