Thongsley Fields Nursery and Primary School in Huntingdon has been rewarded with a bronze award for its outstanding support of young carers.
It is the first year that national Young Carers in Schools Awards have been held in the UK in recognition of the outstanding support given by teachers to young carers in the classroom.
Led by Carers Trust and The Children’s Society’s Young Carers in Focus partnership, Young Carers in Schools was developed with teachers and school staff to enable schools to identify and support young carers and reward good practice.
Thongsley School is one of two schools supported by Carers Trust Cambridgeshire that won a bronze award; it was also awarded to Hampton School in Peterborough.
The Young Carers in Schools programme involves developing a school policy on young carers, as well as providing training and support for staff and governors to help spot the signs of a young carer. The incentive is currently funded until March 2017 through The Big Lottery and The Queens Trust.
Carers Trust Cambridgeshire has been working with Thongsley Fields Nursery and Primary School to implement the programme since 2015 during which time it has seen an increased number of young carers being identified within the school and, as a result, more young carers are receiving support from staff and the young carers team at Carers Trust Cambridgeshire.
Tania Bingham, Young Carers Policy and Development Officer at Carers Trust Cambridgeshire, said: “The support and commitment that Thongsley Fields Nursery and Primary School have given to the Young Carers in Schools programme has been brilliant. A small team of staff have been working incredibly hard to raise awareness of young carers amongst pupils, parents and staff, promoting the support that is available for young carers both in and out of school.”
Ms Una Sancaster, Safeguarding Manager at Thongsley School, said: “We are extremely pleased to be working closely with Carers Trust Cambridgeshire. It is vital that young carers are identified as early as possible to ensure that the right support is offered.”
If you are a school and you would like to be involved in the programme please contact Tania Bingham, Young Carers Policy and Development Officer at Carers Trust Cambridgeshire on 01480 499090.
