Young Carers
Whitby Heath Primary was awarded a Silver award in April 2025, in recognition of the school’s work to ensure that pupils don’t miss out on an education because they are young carers.
We are committed to ensuring that all students get the support they need to have a positive school experience, are happy in school and can achieve their full potential.
Who could be identified as a Young Carer?
A young carer is a young person aged 5 – 18 who looks after someone who can’t manage without help. For the young carer, this could mean looking after a parent, brother or sister, grandparent or family friend due to:-
Learning disability
Mental Health needs
Physical disabilityLong term or terminal illness
Substance dependency
Sensory Impairment
Frail
What might a Young Carer do?
Practical tasks, like cooking, housework and shopping
Physical care, such as helping someone out of bed
Emotional support, including talking to someone who is distressed
Personal care, such as helping someone dress
Managing the family budget and collecting prescriptions
Helping to give medicine
Helping someone communicate
Looking after brothers and sisters
As many as one in 12 pupils could be a young carer, and unless the school is advised about a pupil’s home circumstances, young carers risk first being identified by negative aspects of their behaviour or work. Some young carers worry about bullying and may be tired, worried, find it difficult to concentrate and have limited time for friendships and activities after school. If this is the case, we can help.
How can the school help?
There is lots of support available for young carers and their families should they ever need it – both inside and outside of school.
At Whitby Heath Primary, we can provide extra help for young carers by offering drop in sessions, mentoring support from a peer or teacher and other school issues that may arise. The school works with Cheshire Young Carers in order to supplement its systems and provide a wider range of activities for young carers in the area.
At Whitby Heath Primary we have two Young Carer Champions - Mrs Ellison and Mrs Newton.
