Every child deserves to feel happy, supported and free to enjoy being a child.

At St Michael’s Church School, we believe that every child deserves the opportunity to learn, grow, make friends and enjoy their childhood.

We know that some children have extra responsibilities at home because someone in their family needs additional help or care. These children are known as young carers.

We recognise the kindness, love and responsibility that young carers show towards their families. However, we also understand that caring for someone can sometimes feel worrying, tiring or overwhelming.

Our message to every young carer is simple: You are important, your feelings matter, and you are never alone.

We are committed to making our school a safe, welcoming and understanding place where young carers feel listened to, valued and supported.

What Is a Young Carer?

A young carer is a child or young person under the age of 18 who helps look after someone in their family who has an illness, disability, mental health difficulty or another condition that means they need extra support.

This could be a parent, brother, sister, grandparent or another family member.

Young carers help in lots of different ways. They might:

• · Help with cooking, cleaning or household jobs.
• · Look after younger brothers or sisters.
• · Help a family member get dressed or move around.
• · Remind someone to take medication.
• · Comfort or reassure someone who is feeling unwell or upset.
• · Worry about someone at home, even when they are at school.

Some children may not realise that they are young carers because helping their family is simply part of their everyday life.

If this sounds like your child, please know that we are here to listen and help.

At St Michael’s Church School our Young Carer’s Champion is Mrs Neacy.

Mrs Neacy run’s a Young Carers lunchtime club twice a week where Young Carers are welcome to come along and play games, take part in art and craft activities or just come along for a chat and have somewhere quiet they can relax. Mrs Neacy also runs an afternoon session once a month.

If you think your child is a Young Carer or you would like a chat about anything else please drop Mrs Neacy an e-mail:

lneacy@stm.act-academytrust.org