Young Carers

St Martin's School is committed to providing for young carers and their families.
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We strive to address the requirements of pupils, who are young carers, providing them with the opportunity to completely enjoy their education as young people, raise their attendance, and aspire to realise their full potential.
St Martin's School successfully engages with pertinent external agencies and has an efficient system for identifying and referring pupils. This system includes referring pupils to Young Carer agencies that provide information to important staff members, who will work with young carers and their families. In order to support pupils and their families, St Martin's School only shares information with professionals and organisations when it is necessary.

Along with our skilled pastoral colleagues, we have specific staff members, who assist our young carers and their families. They are accessible to families and pupils, who need assistance. St Martin's School's main goal is to provide our young carers and their families with the best opportunity for success in the future.
 

 

A young carer is someone under 18 years of age, who is helping to look after someone at home. They may be looking after a parent, grandparent, sibling or other relative, and the person, who they look after, may have one or more of the following:

  • A physical or mental disability (including sensory disability);
  • A learning disability;
  • Mental health issues;
  • A chronic or terminal illness;
  • A substance misuse problem.

A young carer, typically, takes on further responsibilities, that are extra to those appropriate for their age and ability.

 

  • Helping with such tasks as washing, toileting, dressing, feeding, helping with mobility, administering medication and ensuring safety;
  • Helping with domestic tasks, such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, paying bills and childcare;
  • Translating or interpreting for someone at home;
  • Providing emotional support;
  • Supporting other members of their family.

We acknowledge that there will be young carers amongst our pupil population; their welfare is of paramount importance and they must be cared for and supported in the school community.

Being a young carer takes up a lot of time and may result in having less time to spend with friends and do certain things that other young people are able to do. It can also result in the young person experiencing problems in areas such as:

  • Punctuality and absence;
  • Concentration, leading to anxiety and worry;
  • Tiredness;
  • Lack of time and/or suitable environment for homework and revision;
  • Poor attainment and progress;
  • Lack of time for extra-curricular activities;
  • Lack of financial support for school trips and other events;
  • Feelings of loneliness and of being unwanted or cared for.
     

​It is important to remember that St Martin's School has processes to support our young carers. The young carers need to be aware that they have a safe place to go where support is given, which encourages them to achieve their potential.

Key workers offer free personalised support to young carers and their families that will be developed with the young carer around their need for help and the caring they do.

 

  • Confidential, one-to-one support with a dedicated key worker in the area you live, including telephone support.
  • Information, advice, guidance, and assisting you to access other services to support you as a young carer.
  • Training opportunities, for example, moving people safely, building confidence and self-esteem, fire safety and access to counselling services, if needed.
  • Recreational activities to take you away from your caring role, meet other young carers, and make new friends.
  • Transition to adult carer services as you come up to 18.

Key workers are available across the whole of Essex, so will be accessible in your local area. They can visit young carers and their families at home, school or somewhere else at an agreed time.

Families or young carers themselves can self-refer, or professionals can make a referral on their behalf.

Please click here to download a self-referral form

At St Martin's, you have two designated leads for Young Carers:

Name: Miss N Pullen - Young Carer Operational Lead 

           email npullen@st-martins.essex.sch.uk

           Mrs G Wilson - Associate SLT Young Carer Lead 

           email gwilson@st-martins.essex.sch.uk

 

 

For additional information please click on the links below:

 

 

Cooking Support Easy Dinner Recipes for Kids To Make. Free Step-by-Step Video Lessons.
Recipes At Tesco Tesco Real Food
Mental Health Support

Young Minds

 
Financial Support

The Mix

Money Helper