Young Carers Policy

Believe. Persevere. Achieve

LEITH PRIMARY SCHOOL

OUR VALUES AND BELIEFS

At Leith Primary School we believe that everyone in our school community matters and that everyone should be cared for, respected and valued.  We recognise that we have Young Carers within our school community and we are committed to supporting them to achieve success across the curriculum and wider world.

BACKGROUND

Leith Primary School has a long-standing relationship with Edinburgh Young Carers, through the support they have given to many of our young people over the years. Through recent staff training, we have decided to expand what we are doing. To ensure that the whole school community is aware of this work, we have created this policy.

YOUNG CARERS

A young carer is someone under 18 years of age who helps to look after a parent, guardian or sibling who is disabled physically or mentally, or has a substance misuse.

Information about the Edinburgh Young Carers Project (EYCP) can be found at http://www.youngcarers.org.uk/.  We are grateful for their support in providing the following information:

Young carers are young people who care for or are affected by someone else at home – usually a parent or sibling.  The person they care for may suffer from:

  • mental health problems
  • disability
  • chronic ill-health
  • drug and alcohol misuse

Caring responsibilities can affect a young person:

  • EMOTIONALLY – Putting other people’s needs first, being worried, anxious or stressed. Feelings of guilt, anger, being trapped, isolated and being misunderstood.
  • PHYSICALLY – Suffering from pains or strains from heavy lifting or helping someone to wash or dress.
  • SOCIALLY – Not able to meet up with friends regularly. Feeling isolated and lacking confidence. A possible target for being bullied.
  • EDUCATIONALLY – Difficulties concentrating in class, feeling tired, worried, with no time to do homework.
  • FINANCIALLY – Low family income. Not having enough money for basic needs.

Most young carers go unnoticed or unrecognised, until there is a crisis.

Often, family members do not want people outside the home to know that someone is ill.

They may fear that the family could become separated.

The level and type of care undertaken by a young carer varies according to their individual circumstance.

LINKS TO CURRICULUM FOR EXCELLENCE

The support offered to Young Carers at Edinburgh School Primary School is driven by the ‘Health and wellbeing across learning: experiences and outcomes’ from Curriculum for Excellence:

Mental and emotional wellbeing

I understand that there are people I can talk to and that there are a number of ways in which I can gain access to practical and emotional support to help me and others in a range of circumstances.

 HWB 0-03a / HWB 1-03a / HWB 2-03a / HWB 3-03a / HWB 4-03a

I understand that my feelings and reactions can change depending upon what is happening within and around me. This helps me to understand my own behaviour and the way others behave.

HWB 0-04a / HWB 1-04a / HWB 2-04a / HWB 3-04a / HWB 4-04a

I know that friendship, caring, sharing, fairness, equality and love are important in building positive relationships. As I develop and value relationships, I care and show respect for myself and others.

HWB 0-05a / HWB 1-05a / HWB 2-05a / HWB 3-05a / HWB 4-05a

I understand the importance of mental wellbeing and that this can be fostered and strengthened through personal coping skills and positive relationships. I know that it is not always possible to enjoy good mental health and that if this happens there is support available.                                                                           HWB 0-06a / HWB 1-06a / HWB 2-06a / HWB 3-06a / HWB 4-06a

I am learning skills and strategies which will support me in challenging times, particularly in relation to change and loss.

HWB 0-07a / HWB 1-07a / HWB 2-07a / HWB 3-07a / HWB 4-07a

I understand that people can feel alone and can be misunderstood and left out by others. I am learning how to give appropriate support.

HWB 0-08a / HWB 1-08a / HWB 2-08a / HWB 3-08a / HWB 4-08a

Social Wellbeing

As I explore the rights to which I and others are entitled, I am able to exercise these rights appropriately and accept the responsibilities that go with them. I show respect for the rights of others.

HWB 0-09a / HWB 1-09a / HWB 2-09a / HWB 3-09a / HWB 4-09a

I recognise that each individual has a unique blend of abilities and needs. I contribute to making my school community one which values individuals equally and is a welcoming place for all.

HWB 0-10a / HWB 1-10a / HWB 2-10a / HWB 3-10a / HWB 4-10a

I make full use of and value the opportunities I am given to improve and manage my learning and, in turn, I can help to encourage learning and confidence in others.

HWB 0-11a / HWB 1-11a / HWB 2-11a / HWB 3-11a / HWB 4-11a

Through contributing my views, time and talents, I play a part in bringing about positive change in my school and wider community.

HWB 0-13a / HWB 1-13a / HWB 2-13a / HWB 3-13a / HWB 4-13a

OUR PLAN

Leith Primary SchoolHow this will workWhen it will happenWho will help make this happen
Will have one member of staff with special responsibility for young carersThe key member of staff will let all pupils know what support is available to young carersStaff will know where to refer young carers We will have a Young Carer’s Team – so that pupils can approach staff they feel comfortable withOngoingMrs Moloney as the Young Carers Co-ordinator (YCC)
Will have a staff representative at the Edinburgh Young Carers Co-ordinator NetworkStaff to attend the meetings as and when they are scheduled.OngoingYCC
Will raise awareness of the challenges faced by young carersAwareness raising presentations on young carers will be included in schedule of assemblies Awareness of young carers and associated issues will be included in HWB lessonsInformation leaflets and posters will be available in school and on the school websiteOngoingYCC   Edinburgh Young Carers Project (EYCP)  
The school will support young carers to identify themselves and link up with appropriate support agencies and informationYoung carer information will be displayed on a school noticeboardContact information for the EYCP will be displayed and available to pupils, parents and members of school staffThe YCT will monitor and check in with our Young Carers      Ongoing    YCC   EYCP
Will make sure the school and its information is accessible to parents who have disability, impairment or other support needsInformation can be given to families in a way they can best read or understand it (eg translated into another language)We will try to accommodate meetings outwith normal school hours if needed  When requested    YCC Leith Primary School Senior Leadership Team (SLT) Young carers and family English as additional Language Service (EAL)  
Will respect young carers’ right to privacyWith young carer consent, the EYCP will share appropriate information with key staffWith young carer consent, teachers and the Education Welfare Officer will be informed of the names of young carers and this will be recorded on SEEMISOngoing   As young carers are identifiedYCC   EYCP   Education Welfare Officer (EWO)   Admin Staff  
Will support young carers to make contact with their family when necessaryWhen permission is obtained, telephone calls home can be made at break times using a school phone in a private areaYoung carers may be issued with a Pass to indicate that they have permission to keep their mobile phone switched on in silent mode to receive important text messages – the pass will make no reference to ‘young carer’When requested     When  requestedYCC   Young carers and family   Key Leith Primary School Staff
Will support young carers to attend events that will support their safety, skill development and wellbeing      Information that is missed when attending events will be given to help young carers catch up with any school workWhen requestedClass teachers   Young carers and family  
Will be considerate of latecoming to school due to caring responsibilitiesLeith Primary School SLT, Class Teachers and the Education Welfare Officer will be informed of family situations as they ariseWhen neededLeith Primary School SLT   EWO   Class Teachers   Young carers and family
Will allow absence from school and early release when young carers need to provide family support in times of crisisThis will be arranged with SLT following discussion with young carer, family, or the EYCP as appropriateWhen requestedLeith Primary SLT   Young carers & family   EYCP  
Will allow appropriate extensions to homework deadlines for young carersYoung carers will be given as much notice as possible about any deadline issuesWhen neededClass teachers   Young carers  
Will make sure that school staff have access to CPD (training)  opportunities that encourage better understanding of the issues faced by young carers      Through the CEC CPD directory and links with EYCP or other relevant partner agenciesWhen neededYCC   EYCP   Other appropriate agencies
Will provide educational opportunities for staff in recognising the signs that a young person has a caring responsibility, as well as increasing their understanding of these responsibilitiesInformation leaflets and posters will be available in school and on the school websiteIn-school training events will be plannedOngoing    YCC   EYCP   Young carers  
Will make sure that a Young Person’s Plan recognises their specific needs as a young carerGIRFEC guidance and associated documentsThrough Assessments of Need and Child Planning MeetingsAs neededLeith Primary School SLT Leith Primary School Support for Learning (SfL) Young carers and family Partner agencies
Will recognise young carer achievementsAchievements in school and as part of the wider extracurricular life of young carers will be celebrated at assemblies, in school newsletters, on the school website and by any other appropriate means.OngoingAll Leith Primary School Staff   Young carers and family   EYCP  
Will make sure other school policies and agreements link appropriately with the Young Carers PolicyThe Young Carers Policy will be included in the school handbookAnnuallyYCC

The Edinburgh School Primary School Young Carers Policy will be reviewed annually by representative young carers, school staff and the EYCP staff.