Young carers

Support for Young Carers at de Ferrers

At de Ferrers, we recognise and value the important role that young carers play within their families. A young carer is a child or young person who provides care and support to a family member who has a physical or mental illness, a disability, or struggles with substance misuse. This responsibility can have a big impact on a young person’s education, wellbeing, and social life. 

We are committed to ensuring that young carers are supported, understood, and given every opportunity to succeed in school.

Our Commitment:

We want every young carer in our school to feel valued, supported, and able to achieve their full potential. We also understand that caring responsibilities can sometimes be overwhelming, and we aim to create an environment where young carers can thrive both academically and personally.

Getting Support:

If you think your child may be a young carer, or if you are a student who looks after someone at home, please get in touch with Mrs Lowe (alowe.dfa@affinitylp.co.uk) or your child's year team. We can provide advice, support, and put you in contact with further services if needed.

Young Carers Champions: Amy Lowe/Greg Hand

YCiS Award - The de Ferrers Academy wins prestigious award for supporting students who are young carers.  

The de Ferrers Academy has won a prestigious award for its work supporting young carers with their education. 

The school was presented with the Young Carers in Schools award on the 28th April 2026. Young carers are children under 18 who are responsible for the care of a family member with who, due to illness, disability, mental health condition or addiction, can’t cope without their support.

The award is part of the Young Carers in School programme run by charities The Children’s Society and Carers Trust. The programme provides primary and secondary schools across England with step-by-step guidance for teachers, leaders and non-teaching staff to gain the practical tools they need to help young carers.

The de Ferrers Academy won the award by demonstrating how it supports young carers. This includes running homework clubs and drop-in sessions with a member of staff responsible for this vulnerable group of pupils. Other things the school offers include lunchtime drop-ins and two young carers parties every year, where the school celebrates these exceptional young people.

Research by Carers Trust shows 40% of young carers say they don’t get enough support to balance education and caring. Separate research by The Children’s Society shows young carers get an average of one grade lower in GCSE subjects than their peers and they often also have lower levels of self-confidence and mental wellbeing. 

Statutory guidance makes clear that all school staff should be particularly alert to the potential need for early help for young carers. The Young Carers in School programme is a way of helping schools address this. 

Vicky Morgan, Carers Trust’s Head of Young Carers at Young Adult Carers, said: 

“We’re delighted to present the Young Carers in Schools award to The de Ferrers Academy. Figures show there are two young carers in every classroom but balancing learning with looking after family members can be tough without help. By identifying young carers and putting support in place, schools and teachers can make a huge difference to their wellbeing and education. That’s why the brilliant work done by staff at The de Ferrers Academy is so vital and why this award is so richly deserved.”

Lisa Witherden, Head of National Programmes at The Children’s Society said:

"Recent figures from the school census highlight that nearly 80% of schools reported they had zero young carers in their pupil population. We know this simply isn't true and that young carers are a hidden group of children and young people who need support to achieve the same level of success as their peers at school. We're absolutely thrilled that The de Ferrers Academy has achieved the Young Carers in Schools award, demonstrating their commitment to identifying these hidden children and young people and ensuring they get the vital support they need to thrive in education and in life beyond school."

The Young Carers in School programme is open to all schools in England. To sign up, visit www.youngcarersinschools.com.

• The 2021 Census statistics revealed there are just over 120,000 young carers in England, but research reveals this is just the tip of the iceberg. The true figure could be closer to 800,000 young carers in England, equivalent to 1 in 5 secondary aged school children many of whom are unrecognised and unsupported. 

• To achieve the award the school has demonstrated that it supports young carers in many ways, including homework clubs and drop-in sessions with a member of staff who is responsible for this vulnerable group of pupils. Vital information about how to identify young carers is made available to all school staff, and noticeboards and the school webpage let students and their families know where to go for help.

About Carers Trust

Carers Trust is the UK charity working to transform the lives of unpaid carers across the UK.  It partners with its network of local carer organisations to provide funding and support, deliver innovative and evidence-based programmes and raise awareness & influence policy. Last year it reached over one million unpaid family carers. 

To find your nearest local carer organisation for advice and support, visit carers.org

About The Children’s Society

The Children’s Society fights for the hope and happiness of young people when it's threatened by abuse, exploitation and neglect. We see the hope and courage in young people every day, and it inspires us to support them through their most serious life challenges.  

www.childrenssociety.org.uk