Many pupils have caring responsibilities at home. Some support a parent, a sibling, or another family member with illness, disability, mental health needs, or addiction.

Young carers are often not recognised. When schools identify them early, they can prevent pupils from missing out on support.

Definition of a young carer 

A young carer is:

• a person under 18 who provides, or plans to provide, care for another person, as defined in the Children Act 1989
• a child or young person who looks after someone in their family or a friend who is ill, disabled, has a mental health condition, or has an addiction (Carers Trust)

Why early identification matters 

Young carers face additional pressures at home that can affect attendance, learning, and wellbeing. Many feel unable to share their situation due to stigma or fear of being judged.
Early identification helps schools put support in place at the right time.

Impact on attainment and wellbeing 

Research shows that young carers are more likely to:

• miss key academic milestones
• struggle with punctuality and attendance
• have difficulty concentrating
• experience higher levels of stress, tiredness, or anxiety
• feel isolated or unsupported
• believe their school does not fully understand their situation
• These factors can lead to poorer outcomes by the end of primary and secondary school.

A pupil may be a young carer if they carry out caring tasks or show signs linked to caring responsibilities.

Caring tasks may include:

• cooking, cleaning, or other regular household responsibilities
• helping someone wash, dress, or move
• reminding someone to take medication
• providing emotional reassurance
• managing money or collecting prescriptions
• interpreting or communicating on behalf of an adult
• looking after siblings

Signs of a hidden young carer 

Some pupils do not realise they are young carers. Others do not want to talk about their caring role.

Possible indicators are:

• frequent lateness or absence
• leaving school early
• tiredness or reduced concentration
• anxiety or low mood
• appearing withdrawn or isolated
• difficulties forming or keeping friendships
• looking unusually tired or unkempt
• appearing very mature for their age

Buckinghamshire Council has produced a parent letter to help schools identify young carers. Please use this as a template to add to your school letterhead and school name, and add your own survey/form link to collect the data. 

Young Carers School Letter for Identification - to be adapted for use (Download)

The Carers Trust recommends that schools adopt a whole-school approach. This ensures all staff understand the needs of young carers and know how to support them.

Key elements

Leadership and governance

• Appoint a senior leader responsible for young carers
• Appoint a governor champion
• Create a young carers policy and review it regularly
• involve young carers in shaping the policy where possible

Awareness and culture

• display clear information about disability, illness, and caring
• make it easy for pupils to come forward
• Provide regular staff training

Systems and support

• monitor attendance, well-being, and progress
• ensure staff know the process for sharing information sensitively
• avoid asking pupils to repeat their story
• offer flexible support, such as: 
  o    alternatives to after-school homework clubs
  o    check in time with a trusted adult
  o    space to calm or regulate
  o    understanding around deadlines

Listening to young carers

• Give pupils time and space to speak
• build trusting relationships
• involve them in decisions affecting their education

Governors play an important role in ensuring a proactive approach to identifying and supporting young carers. Governors should:

• Appoint a young carers champion within the governing body
• ensure the school has a clear young carers policy
• confirm a named member of staff is responsible for young carers
• receive regular updates on attendance, attainment, and well-being
• Use the Carers Trust Governor Toolkit to evaluate the effectiveness of their school’s provision YCiS-Step-3-Tool-4.pdf

The toolkit outlines the essential actions and examples of best practice. It can be reviewed during meetings about inclusion, safeguarding, or vulnerable pupils.

Buckinghamshire Council Young Carers Professional Toolkit - Download the Young Carers Professional Toolkit

Buckinghamshire Family Information Service – Support for young carers on health & wellbeing, education and skills, and organisations that can help. Visit Advice for young carers - Sidekick

Carers Bucks - Carers Bucks provides information, advice, practical support, and wellbeing services to help unpaid carers in Buckinghamshire manage their caring role. Visit Carers Bucks | Dedicated to supporting carers - Carers Bucks

Carers Bucks – Young Carers Awareness Video. Visit Carers Bucks - Young Carers Video 2026 - YouTube 

Carers Trust – Carers Trust’s Young Carers in Schools offers support to schools to identify young carers early and provide practical, emotional, and whole-school support so they can thrive in education. Visit Supporting Young Carers in Schools: A Step-by-step Guide for Leaders, Teachers and Non-teaching Staff - Resources - Carers Trust

Kooth - offers free, confidential online mental health support for young carers, providing access to counselling, moderated peer forums, and self-help resources to help them manage emotional wellbeing alongside their caring responsibilities. Visit Home - Kooth

Young Minds - supports young carers by offering advice, resources, and advocacy to help them manage their mental health and wellbeing. Visit Young Carers | Mental Health Advice | YoungMinds

Barnardo’s - Young Carers support provides practical help, emotional support, and opportunities for young carers to build resilience and achieve their potential. Visit Young carers | Barnardo's

Sidekick is a confidential text-based support service that gives young people a safe space to talk, get advice, and feel supported when they need it. Visit Advice for young carers - Sidekick