Young Carers
Forest Hall School is a trailblazer school for young carers, working in conjunction with The Children’s Society.
Who are young carers?
The official definition of a young carer is '…a person under 18 who provides or intends to provide care for another person (of any age, except where that care is provided for payment, pursuant to a contract or as voluntary work).' Children and Families Act 2014 Section 96. Many children do not realise they are young carers.
What do young carers do?
Young carers help with tasks usually done by an adult:
- Bathing, dressing or washing
- Listening, when someone is upset
- Giving medicine
- Cooking, cleaning, shopping
- Looking after brothers or sisters
In Forest Hall School we feel Young Carers should have someone to talk to and offer support if required. Support is either available through dedicated staff at Forest Hall School or using the recognised charities of Essex Young Carers and Action for Family Carers. Our dedicated team of Pupil Welfare Officers (POWs) and Heads of Year are available for students' to drop in at break times and lunch times.
Young carers are identified and discussed at monthly inclusion meetings and appropriate interventions put into place if they are required.
If you require any more information regarding young carers, please email Mrs M Thorne: ThorneM@bmatforesthall.org.uk