At Great Western Academy, we want every student to feel supported and able to take part fully in school life. Some students also help to care for someone outside school. We want to recognise their responsibilities, listen to what they need and make sure they know where to find support.​

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What is a young carer?

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A young carer is someone under 18 who helps to look after a family member or another person because of an illness, disability, mental health condition or difficulty with drugs or alcohol.
 

Caring can look different from one family to another. A young carer might:

• help with cooking, shopping or other tasks at home;

• help someone move around or manage day-to-day activities;

• provide emotional support or worry about leaving someone at home;

• help care for a brother or sister.
   

A student does not need to use the term young carer to talk to us. If responsibilities at home are affecting their time, wellbeing or experience of school, we would like to understand how we can help.

 

Tell us about a Young Carer

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Students can speak to a trusted member of staff, such as their tutor or Head of Year, or contact Mrs Patton, Young Carers School Strategic Lead, at npatton@gwacademy.co.uk

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Parents and carers are also welcome to get in touch. You can let us know even if things are going well at present. We will arrange a conversation to understand the student’s circumstances and whether any support would be helpful. We will handle personal information sensitively and share it with relevant staff where needed to support the student.
 

For ease, here is a link where you can refer for child to us for Young Carer support
Identifying Young Carers at GWA.

By completing this, you will flag your child as being a young carer, enabling us to find out more about their situation and putting support in place at school.

 

Support at school

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Support will depend on what the student tells us they need. This could include a named member of staff to check in with, help to manage schoolwork, or agreed arrangements if a student is worried about someone at home. We can also help families find specialist support outside school.
 

We will review any arrangements with the student and family as their circumstances change.

Further support in Swindon

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Swindon Carers Together – Young Carers offers information and advice, individual support, and activities for young carers. Students and families can contact the service directly, or speak to Mrs Patton about a referral.
 

Swindon Borough Council – Young Carers also provides information about young carers and the Young Carers Charter for Swindon.

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Students aged 18 and over who provide care can find information on support for young adult carers.

Key contact: Mrs Patton, Young Carers School Strategic Lead

Email: npatton@gwacademy.co.uk