Media invited to attend: 10am-3pm, Thursday 26 January 2017
Venue: Lynn Grove Academy, Gorleston, Norfolk, NR31 8AP
Norfolk Young Carers Forum are inviting young carers and professionals to a conference entitled, Young Carers in Education, to mark national Young Carers Awareness Day on Thursday, 26 January. The Forum will launch a new schools Award scheme on the day rewarding schools and colleges that support young carers.
The conference is being held on Young Carers Awareness Day – Thursday, 26 January, at Lynn Grove Academy, Gorleston and is free. Speakers include Chris Snudden, Assistant Director, Education from Norfolk County Council, along with representatives from Norfolk schools and members of the Norfolk Young Carers Forum.
It is estimated there are more than 12,500 young carer givers aged 5-25 in Norfolk – as many as two pupils in each class – and identifying them early is vital. Crucially, 42% have not told anyone in school or college about their caring role at home which can have a huge impact on their academic achievements, with young carers achieving on average 9 grades lower in their GCSEs.
A Carers Trust Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Norfolk spokesperson, said: “Too many young carers are missing out on a good education and not reaching their potential because of their caring role at home. We know that being a young care giver can affect school work and result in bullying and isolation, having a considerable impact on their childhood.
“We hope that schools will come along and professionals who would like to learn more about the impact that being a young carer has on education, and how they can identify young carers in the classroom.
“There is already some fantastic work being done with young carers in schools and colleges across Norfolk and we are thrilled to launch new Awards in the county for schools that support young carers and young adult carers though a local and national accreditation scheme.
“For schools that are unable to attend and would like further information about the Awards, and for young carers who want to learn about how we can support them, please do get in touch.”
Norfolk Young Carers Forum, run by Carers Trust Norfolk, is made up of young carers from across the county who have a caring responsibility in the home and get together to try and make things better for all young carers in Norfolk. The Forum has created the ‘NYCF Young Carer Friendly Tick’ award based on the top priorities identified by young carers across the county. They can then be supported with a Carer’s Assessment to safeguard their wellbeing, but currently many young care givers are unaware that this is available for them.
There are 700,000 young carers in the UK who work around the clock providing care and support family and friends, and countless more who are not aware that they have a caring role and are entitled to an assessment and support.
A young carer is a young person under the age of 18 who has a caring responsibility. This is usually a family member who has a long term disability, long-term illness, mental illness (including depression and anxiety), or drug/alcohol substance misuse.
Young carers have the right to ask for an assessment following the introduction of the Children and Families Act 2014. As a young carer approaches 18, the pathways of accessing support services change and a Transition Assessment is given.
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Note to Editors:
- For media enquiries and to confirm attendance, please contact Communications Officer Ellee Seymour on 01480 499090.
