Note for presenters Welcome to the Young Carers in Schools slidepack that is designed to support local authorities and young carers’ services looking to engage schools in their local area in the Young Carers in Schools programme. What is the Young Carers in Schools programme? The Young Carers in Schools programme is a free England-wide initiative that makes it as easy as possible for schools to support young carers and awards good practice. Run jointly, by Carers Trust and The Children’s Society Young Carers in Focus partners, it has been developed with young carers’ services, schools, academies and local authorities. What are the benefits to promoting Young Carers in Schools locally? As a national programme, Young Carers in Schools supports local young carers’ services across England to build, maintain and celebrate their engagement with schools. It does so by: Raising the profile of young carers and the importance of young carers’ support in schools at a national level Celebrating and promoting effective partnership working through the Young Carers in Schools Award Encouraging effective local partnerships, through the expectation that schools develop and maintain effective links with their local young carers service Providing schools with key tools that facilitate effective partnership working i.e. a checklist for effective partnership working with local young carers’ services and a template Working Together Agreement What does this slidepack contain? The aims and purpose of the Young Carers in Schools programme and what it offers schools The key benefits to schools taking part in the programme How schools can get involved Core activities designed to make it as easy as possible for schools to work towards a Young Carers in Schools Award.

Introduction to Young Carers in Schools Building, shaping and recognising support for young carers Insert name, job title, organisation

Young Carers in School has been developed in associated with teachers and school staff. An exciting, England-wide initiative, it aims to make it as easy as possible for schools to identify and support young carers and awards good practice.

Why take part? Get recognition Identify manageable steps to improve outcomes Access tools, CPD and good practice spotlights Demonstrate to Ofsted you meet young carers’ needs(specifically mentioned in the Common Inspection Framework, 2015)

To apply, access the Award guidance and submission form at

Professional Development Events and online webinars Sign up to the eNewsletter, and access the Step-by-step Guide and webinar programme at

Early implementation Extensive consultation Young carer expert contributions Initial pilot National rollout Working with authorities and services that have a local award scheme

What does Young Carers in Schools aim to achieve? Young carers attend and enjoy school and reach their full potential. Schools are enabled to identify and support young carers. Young carers have improved wellbeing and are better prepared for independent lives. Parents and carers are supported to enable their children to attend school. A school culture is created which is fully accessible, and understands and respects disability and caring. Young carers have the same life opportunities as other children

Activity 1 Find out how your school already meets the Bronze level criteria in the Young Carers in Schools Award. Give each actions on the worksheet provided a RAG status (Red – not started; Amber – in progress; Green – completed).

Activity 2 In small groups, identify any challenges you might face in working towards and achieving a Young Carers in Schools Award. Record the challenges/barriers on your worksheet Once you have finished swap your worksheet with another group. Can you identify any solutions to the challenges on the worksheet you have been given?

Activity 3 Identify actions that you will complete on returning to school Are you actions: –Specific –Measurable –Achievable –Realistic –Time-bound?

Next steps a copy of your baseline review to All schools intending to submit an Award application must do this to be able to apply for an Award at a later date, enabling us to manage capacity. You can also request a free USB stick to use when submitting your Sign up to the Young Carers in Schools e-Newsletter, webinars and access the Step- by-step Guide at to make applying for an Award as easy as possible. Find out what evidence to gather by downloading the award guidance. Gathering evidence as you go makes life that little bit easier!award guidance Download and submit an Award application to get recognition for your school!Award application Don’t forget the Award levels are incremental. By going for Bronze as soon as possible, you will know you are on the right track before proceeding to Silver and Gold!