Young Carers

At Pendragon Community Primary School, we are committed to ensuring that all pupils get the support they need to have a positive school experience, to achieve their full potential and that they are happy in school. Mrs Smith is the Young Carers Champion and Operational Lead with Mrs Dailly supporting as the SLT Young Carers Champion.

 “A young carer is a child or young person under the age of 18 who provides care, assistance or support to another family member who is disabled, physically or mentally ill, or has a substance misuse problem. This includes practical and/or emotional support.”

Some young carers might be doing lots of caring at home and others just a small amount, but many are impacted by their situation at home. From worrying about a person with a health condition to needing to do more things for themselves compared to other pupils, many provide support at home, which may go unnoticed.
 
-Practical Tasks such as cooking, housework and shopping
-Looking after brothers and sisters
-Emotional support such as talking to someone who is distressed
-Helping someone communicate
-Physical Care such as helping someone get out of bed
-Helping to give medicine
-Personal care such as helping someone dress
-Helping to manage the family budget
 

There are lots of support available for young carers and their families should they ever need it – both inside and outside of school and raising awareness is key.

 

  • Mrs Karen Smith

    Family Worker and Young Carers Champion

    Familyworker@pendragon.cambs.sch.uk

    At Pendragon, Mrs Smith provides support for our Young Carers through 1:1 check in’s and a dedicated Young Carers Group.

    Internal Support in school
    Support may look different for all of our Young Carers with support tailored to their individual need. Whether this is having support and extra time to complete their homework, having time to talk, completing activities they might not get to do at home due to their additional responsibilities or for some, just having some time out. Mrs Smith liaises with parents and carers to keep them up to date with support provided in school.

    External Support
    Mrs Smith also liaises with a local charity called Centre 33, who provide additional support to some of our young carers. The external support from Centre 33 can be accessed through a referral process which Mrs Smith can do for you, with your parental consent. If you wish to know more about the referral process, please do contact her or click the Centre 33 link below for more information.

If you think that any of the above applies to your child, and you think that they might be a young carer, please contact Mrs Smith to discuss with her how we can support them in school. Even if you feel like your child does not require any support at present, it is always good for her to know just in case home circumstances change.

You can find further information on support for young carers on the following websites:

Centre 33

https://centre33.org.uk/

Carers Trust

 

Pendragon Primary School - Young Carers Agreement

At Pendragon Primary School, we recognise that some of our pupils take on important responsibilities at home as Young Carers. We are committed to ensuring these children feel understood, supported, and able to thrive both in school and at home.

Our Commitment to Young Carers

As a school, we agree to:

  • Identify Young Carers — We work sensitively with families to understand each child’s situation and ensure they receive the right support.
  • Provide emotional support — Children can speak to a trusted adult whenever they need to talk about how they are feeling.
  • Offer practical help — This may include help with organisation, flexibility around homework, or time to catch up if needed.
  • Young Carers Champion — Our Young Carers Champion supports identified pupils through regular group sessions and one‑to‑one check‑ins, ensuring every child has someone who understands their situation.
  • Ensure staff awareness — We provide regular staff training so all adults in school understand the challenges Young Carers may face and know how to support them effectively.
  • Raise whole‑school awareness — We include Young Carer awareness in assemblies and embed it within our PSHCE curriculum to help all pupils understand and respect the experiences of Young Carers.
  • Listen to pupil voice — Young Carers are encouraged to share their views, ideas, and experiences so they can help shape the support we offer.
  • Work with families — We maintain open communication with parents and carers to ensure support is consistent and respectful.
  • Review our practice — We make a regular commitment to reviewing this agreement/policy so it remains up to date, meaningful, and responsive to the needs of our pupils.
  • Celebrate strengths — We recognise the resilience, kindness, and maturity that many Young Carers show every day.

What Young Carers Can Expect

Children identified as Young Carers can expect:

  • A safe space to talk about worries or challenges
  • Regular check‑ins with the Young Carers Champion
  • Group sessions where they can meet others with similar experiences
  • Understanding if they are tired, distracted, or finding things difficult
  • Support with schoolwork when home responsibilities become overwhelming
  • Inclusion in all school activities, with adjustments made where needed
  • Opportunities to share their voice and influence how the school supports them

Working Together

By working in partnership with families, we can ensure every Young Carer feels supported, respected, and able to enjoy their time at school.

If you think your child may be a Young Carer or you would like to discuss support, please contact Mrs Smith on Familyworker@pendragon.cambs.sch.uk