Promoting Awareness of Young Carers

The school has achieved the Suffolk Young Carers Bronze Award in recognition of its work. “What an amazing school! This school has worked very closely with Suffolk Young Carers, raising awareness and supporting young carers. Their PSHE material has been a massive learning experience for the children as well as being fun. The coffee morning was supported by so many parents, who enjoyed looking at their children’s work. The pastoral commitment here is fantastic!” – Jane O’Shea. Young Carers Advisor for under 9s.

We responded to a request from Suffolk Young Carers, initially because our LSAs were increasingly aware of the need within our school community where we have a sizeable number of children who care for members of their families in some capacity.

In July 2015 we were selected as one of only four primary schools in Suffolk to pilot an under 9s young carers scheme, which would promote and support all young carers, but in particular, focus on the work of the under 9s:

• We began by implementing a series of CPD for staff, including briefing sessions, training on a PD day, leaflets, and reminders;
• We then entered ‘#empty chair’, the Suffolk Young Carers photographic competition. This was a whole school event, with entries being submitted from the Early Years to Year 6. Our Owls Class won this competition, and our entries were used to promote the competition on Twitter;
• We then held a Suffolk Young Carers week. The school gathered evidence of the pupils’ understanding of the roles and responsibilities of a young carer before the week began;
• The work of young carers was highlighted in lessons throughout the week, and a variety of activities to support this learning were undertaken. This included case studies, looking at issues faced by families, from physical disability to mental health;
• Key Stage 2 pupils also participated in a relay of activities that might be undertaken by young carers, highlighting the roles and responsibilities for some young people. Our Early Years Foundation stage and Key Stage 1 pupils iced biscuits in readiness for the coffee morning on the Thursday;
• On that Thursday morning, parents, carers and family members were invited to a coffee morning and to look at the many displays of the excellent work produced by the pupils. The school received a great deal of amazing feedback from everyone who attended. Also present were representatives from Suffolk Young Carers, the Early Help Team and the community nursing service.  This gave parents and carers an opportunity to seek advice on any issues relating to their child, should they wish;
• The week ended with a celebration assembly and a non-school uniform fundraising event for Suffolk Young Carers. Pupil perceptions were also gathered to ascertain the learning achieved;
• We also gathered children’s perception after the event, and they were overwhelmingly positive and supportive.

When the school has an event the following week, children go home with a sticker on their jumpers saying’ “Ask me why next week is special”. This provides children and their parents opportunities to talk about school events and their learning.