Supporting young carers in schools: Identifying and meeting their needs

Understanding the scale of young carers in schools

In 2024, the school census recorded approximately 54,000 pupils as young carers, marking only the second time this data has been collected. Of these, 21,000 were in primary schools, over 32,000 in secondary schools, and around 500 in special schools or alternative provisions. On average, local authorities identified 337 young carers, though this figure varies widely across regions.

While there has been a slight improvement in identification, with 72% of schools reporting no young carers in 2024 (down from 79% in 2023), the true number remains underestimated. Many young carers may not recognise their role or fear disclosing their responsibilities due to stigma, cultural expectations, or concerns about professional involvement.

Barriers to identifying Young Carers

Young carers may not always be identified due to a range of factors, including:

• Caring for someone with a stigmatising illness, such as HIV or other life-limiting conditions.

• Cultural norms and expectations around caregiving roles.

• Stigma around illnesses, particularly mental health conditions.

• Uncertain immigration status, including refugees or asylum seekers.

• Fear of social services involvement.

• A perception that their role is not significant enough to warrant support.

• Involvement with youth offending teams or the criminal justice system.

• Being from an armed forces or traveller family, making them harder to track due to mobility.

The Impact of caring on young people

Without support, young carers often face significant challenges, including:

• Fatigue, anxiety, and stress affecting mental and physical health.

• Difficulties in keeping up with schoolwork, leading to lower attainment.

• Increased absenteeism and reduced participation in extracurricular activities.

• Feelings of isolation and difficulties in social relationships.

• Higher risks of bullying and mental health struggles.

How schools can support young carers

Schools play a critical role in identifying and supporting young carers to help mitigate the negative effects of their responsibilities.

Key steps include:

• Identifying young carers

• Recognising potential signs, such as absenteeism, difficulty concentrating, reluctance to participate in extracurricular activities, or changes in behaviour.

• Creating a school culture where young carers feel safe to disclose their roles.

• Providing appropriate support

• Appointing a designated point of contact within the school for young carers.

• Conducting Young Carer's Needs Assessments to understand their individual situations.

• Referring young carers to local support groups and services.

• Advocating for additional resources

• Applying for funding options like the pupil premium to support young carers' educational needs.

• Participating in the Young Carers in Schools Programme, a free initiative run jointly by Carers Trust and The Children's Society, designed to help schools support young carers effectively.

By understanding young carers' needs and implementing the right support strategies, schools can make a significant difference in their well-being and future prospects.

Young Carers online course

Our Young Carers training course provides a comprehensive understanding of who young carers are, their responsibilities, and the signs that may indicate someone is a young carer. The course also covers their legal rights and the support they need, using real-life scenarios and video insights from young carers.

Developed in partnership with The Children's Society, this training features first-hand perspectives from young carers themselves.

Safeguarding and duty of care training package

Our Young Carers training course is included in our number 1 safeguarding training package, which features over 80 flexible, interactive courses covering safeguarding, compliance, health and safety and wellbeing. Tes Safeguarding Training offers unlimited access for all school community members—including teachers, support staff, governors, and volunteers.

Train your team, monitor learner progress, and provide evidence to inspectors—all for a single annual price based on pupil enrolment numbers.

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