There is a support network available to any student who is a young carer or feels they are a young carer.
If you’re aged 8-18 and care for someone at home with a disability, illness or mental health problem, we’re here to suppot you.
Young Carers in Southampton offers you a break away from home and your caring responsibilities where you can:
- Meet other young carers and make new friends
- Receive one to one support
- Attend group sessions
- Be listened to and have a voice
- Find out useful information about caring
- Have fun on day trips
- Feel part of a community
As a school, we are committed to raising the profile and importance of our Young Carers.
Please contact youngcarers@redbridgeschool.co.uk for any support or assistance.
Laura Streeter – SMT Link and Operational Lead
Michelle Chandler – Operational Lead
Whole School Commitment to our Young Carers
Redbridge school is committed to meeting the needs of Young Carers so they can attend and enjoy school in the same way as other students and achieve their potential.
Pupils, families and staff are made aware of our commitment through our website, noticeboards, The Bridge and the staff shared drive.
We have a designated Young Carer SMT link and 2 Operational Leads.
The school only shares information with professionals and agencies on a need to know basis in order to support our pupils and their families.
The school actively seeks feedback and ideas from young carers and their families to shape and improve our service.
The school has an effective referral system and strong partnership in place with relevant external agencies including the Young Carers service at No Limits.
The school uses Pupil Premium funding to minimise any barriers to education and learning experienced by our eligible young carers.
February 2023
Redbridge Community School Wins Award for Young Carer Support
Congratulations on achieving your Young Carers in Schools Silver Award! You are the first school in Southampton to do so!
The Young Carers in Schools programme helps primary and secondary schools improve outcomes for young carers and celebrates good practice through the Young Carers in Schools Award.
Young carers are responsible for emotional, practical or physical care for a parent, sibling or other family member who has a physical disability, mental health issue or substance misuse issue. The 2011 Census statistics revealed that there are just over 166,000 young carers in England, but research reveals that this is just the tip of the iceberg. The true figure could be closer to 800,000 young carers in England, equivalent to one in 5 secondary aged school children many of whom are unrecognised and unsupported.
Research carried out by Carers Trust and The Children’s Society shows that, on average, young carers miss or cut short 48 school days a year and often have lower levels of self-confidence, mental wellbeing and significantly lower educational attainment at GCSE level, because of their caring role. Ofsted’s Common Inspection Framework states that inspectors will look at how well schools support young carers. While some schools are doing this really well, others struggle and this causes real problems for young carers.
To help schools support young carers, the programme offers a step-by-step guide for leaders, teachers and non-teaching staff, with practical tools designed to make it as easy as possible for schools. Staff can also receive training through webinars and events and the programme also features a newsletter each term highlighting relevant policy developments, spotlighting good practice and giving updates on the programme’s successes.
“To achieve their Silver Award Redbridge Community School has demonstrated that it supports young carers in many ways, including homework clubs and drop-in sessions with a member of staff who is responsible for this vulnerable group of pupils. Vital information about how to identify young carers is made available to all school staff, and noticeboards and the school webpage let students and their families know where to go for help”.
Giles Meyer, Chief Executive of Carers Trust, today congratulated Award-winning schools, saying: “The Young Carers in Schools programme is helping to transform schools and support staff across England. Schools play a vital role in a young carer’s life, as many care for relatives without their teachers even knowing what they do. On average young carers will miss a day of school each month as a result of their caring role, so the steps schools take to identify and support them can have a huge impact on their learning, wellbeing and life chances.”
Luella Goold, Service Manager at The Children’s Society, is delighted that the Young Carers in Schools Programme is bringing about national change.
“Hundreds of schools across England are participating in the Young Carers in Schools programme, using the tools and resources to improve their support systems, and ensuring that no child need miss out on educational opportunities because they are a carer. 74% of schools who have achieved a Young Carers in Schools Award have noticed improved attendance among their young carers, and 94% have noticed improvements in their wellbeing and confidence.”
