Young Carers

Young Carers are children and young people who often take on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities for a family member due to illness, disability, mental health problems or an addiction. The tasks undertaken can vary according to the nature of the illness or disability, the level and frequency of need for care and the structure of the family as a whole.

A Young Carer may do some or all of the following:

• Practical tasks, such as cooking, housework and shopping.
• Physical care, such as lifting, helping a parent on stairs or with physiotherapy.
• Personal care, such as dressing, washing, helping with toileting needs.
• Managing the family budget, collecting benefits and prescriptions.
• Administering medication.
• Looking after younger siblings.
• Emotional support.
• Interpreting, due to a hearing or speech impairment or because English is not the family’s first language.

Some Young Carers may undertake high levels of care, whereas for others it may be frequent low levels of care. Either can impact heavily on a child or young person.

At Penrice Academy we support Young Carers in a variety of ways. The Academy’s Young Carers Policy confirms that we understand the issues of students who have a caring role within the family.

Designated Link for Young Carers

Miss Kevill is the designated Link for Young Carers, and she liaises with relevant staff, family and other outside agencies to provide help and support where required. Where appropriate, Penrice Young Carers are referred to Kernow Young Carers, through Barnardo’s, to enable additional support for the student outside of school.

Miss Kevill can be contacted on 01726 72163, or by emailing rkevill@penrice.org.uk.

Drop-in Support Sessions

Sessions take place every Wednesday, breaks 1 and 2, in Mr Johnson’s classroom (formerly known as the Thrive Classroom). All Young Carers are welcome, including those who have never attended before and wish to seek out support. There is also a Notice Board in the main corridor to provide additional information for Penrice Young Carers.

Award Winning Young Carers Support

In April 2016, we became the first school in Cornwall to receive the Bronze award for their work in ensuring that Young Carers don’t miss out on education. Mrs Farr is looking ahead to achieving the next level Silver award.

Further Information

Further information can be found on the Kernow Young Carers website.