Carers scheme wins top award
ASCHOOL in Cheadle Heath has become one of only 15 in the country to take part in a pilot scheme to help support young carers in education.
Stockport Academy has been selected for the Young Carers in School programme, which is run by the Children’s Society and Carers Trust.
It offers a step-by-step guide and practical resources to help youngsters juggle caring duties for a family member and their education. The Heathbank Road school has also been given a Gold Award for its work in this area.
The most recent census statistics reveal that there are 648 young carers in the borough and 166,000 nationally.
Suzanne Fox, Stockport Academy’s child protection officer, said: “I am immensely proud of this award.
“We have worked hard to support young carers for many years.
“Young carers that I have been privileged to support have been an inspiration. It is essential to celebrate young carers and raise their profile – awareness-raising has been a huge priority for us.
“It is also important for everyone to appreciate that young carers often don’t even recognise themselves as such because what they do is a just a ‘normal’ part of their life.”
The programme, which was launched on Thursday, was developed with teachers and school staff.
Among its aims is to reduce the average 48 school days a year young carers miss or cut short because of their caring role and also to address the lower levels of selfconfidence, mental wellbeing and significantly lower educational attainment at GCSE level.
The programme will produce a newsletter each term highlighting relevant policy developments, good practice and giving updates on the its successes.
It will also develop networks of schools, young carers services, and health and social care professionals who can share ideas.
Students at Stockport Academy have already received awards for their work with young carers. Last year the student council was given the Diana Award.
Gail Scott-Spicer, Chief Executive of Carers Trust, said: “Schools are vital part of a young carer’s life, but many care for relatives without their teachers even knowing what they do.”