Young Carers at Ferryhill School
Supporting every student to be their best self and build a bold future
At Ferryhill School, we recognise that some of our students have additional responsibilities at home because they help care for a family member or someone close to them.
We understand that being a young carer can bring both positive experiences and additional challenges. We are committed to ensuring that our young carers feel recognised, valued, understood and supported throughout their time at school.
Our aim is to ensure that no student is disadvantaged because of their caring responsibilities and that every young carer has the opportunity to achieve their full potential, enjoy school life and look forward to a positive future.
What is a Young Carer?
A young carer is a child or young person under the age of 18 who provides care or support for someone who has a physical illness, disability, mental health condition, learning disability or difficulties with drugs or alcohol.
This may involve caring for a parent, brother, sister, grandparent or another family member.
Caring responsibilities can take many different forms, including:
Helping with household tasks such as cooking, cleaning or shopping.
Providing emotional support and reassurance.
Helping a family member with mobility or daily activities.
Looking after younger brothers or sisters because of a family member's illness or disability.
Helping with medication, appointments or communication.
Worrying about or regularly checking on the wellbeing of someone at home.
Every young carer's experience is different.
Some students may have significant caring responsibilities, while others may provide less frequent support. A young person may not even realise that the support they provide means they are a young carer.
We want every young carer at Ferryhill School to know that they are not alone and that support is available.
Our Commitment to Young Carers
At Ferryhill School, we are committed to identifying, listening to and supporting our young carers.
We will:
Recognise every young carer as an individual. We understand that caring responsibilities affect young people differently. We will not make assumptions about their circumstances or the support they need.
Listen to the voices of our young carers. We will encourage students to share their experiences, views and concerns so that the support offered reflects their individual needs.
Provide trusted adults who can offer help. We have a Designated Young Carer Lead who can listen, provide guidance and help students access appropriate support.
Raise awareness across our school community. We will help staff and students develop an understanding of young carers, their responsibilities and the challenges they may experience.
Offer understanding and appropriate flexibility. We recognise that caring responsibilities can sometimes affect attendance, punctuality, homework or participation in school activities. We will work with students and families to consider reasonable individual arrangements where appropriate.
Support emotional wellbeing. We will provide opportunities for young carers to discuss worries or concerns and access additional pastoral or wellbeing support when needed.
Help students balance caring responsibilities with school life. We will encourage young carers to participate fully in lessons, enrichment activities, trips, friendships and other opportunities that contribute to their Personal Development.
Consider family communication needs. Where appropriate, we will agree arrangements that enable young carers to contact, or be contacted by, family members during the school day, in line with school procedures.
Work in partnership with families and specialist services. We will help students and families access additional support, including referrals to appropriate external organisations.
Support future aspirations and transitions. We will help young carers explore their options for further education, apprenticeships, training and employment, recognising that caring responsibilities can influence their decisions.
We believe that young carers should have the same opportunities as every other student to succeed, feel included and enjoy their childhood.
Our Young Carers Policy
At Ferryhill School, supporting young carers is an important part of our commitment to inclusion, safeguarding, wellbeing and Personal Development.
Our Young Carers Policy sets out the school's approach to identifying and supporting students with caring responsibilities.
The policy helps ensure that young carers are recognised, their voices are heard and appropriate arrangements are considered to enable them to participate fully in school life.
Proud to Hold the Family Action Gold Award
Ferryhill School is proud to have achieved the Gold Award through Family Action's Young Carers' Neighbourhood Charter.
This achievement recognises our commitment to creating a supportive and inclusive school environment where young carers are identified, understood and valued.
The Young Carers' Neighbourhood Charter encourages schools to:
Identify and recognise young carers.
Raise awareness of the challenges young carers may face.
Listen to young carers and promote their voices.
Provide appropriate support and understanding.
Work with families and specialist services.
Help young carers access the same opportunities as their peers.
Achieving Gold accreditation is an important recognition of our work, but our commitment does not stop there.
We will continue to develop our provision, listen to our students and ensure that young carers feel supported, respected and able to thrive.
Find out more about Family Action.
Support Available at Ferryhill School
We recognise that young carers may sometimes need additional understanding, reassurance or practical support.
Depending on individual circumstances, support may include:
A trusted member of staff to talk to about worries or caring responsibilities.
Pastoral and emotional wellbeing support.
Individual conversations about attendance, punctuality or homework difficulties.
Support with friendships, confidence and participation in school life.
Guidance with subject choices, further education, training and future careers.
Help accessing external young carers' services and family support.
Opportunities for students to share their views and help shape the support available.
We will work sensitively with students and families, respecting privacy and confidentiality while following our safeguarding responsibilities.
Are You a Young Carer?
You might be a young carer if you regularly help to look after someone at home because they have an illness, disability, mental health condition or other additional needs.
You might help with practical tasks, provide emotional support or take on responsibilities that other young people your age may not have.
Being a young carer can sometimes leave you feeling worried, tired, stressed or overwhelmed. You may also feel proud of the support you provide.
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Whatever your experience, it is important to remember that you are not alone.
You do not need to manage everything by yourself, and asking for support does not mean that you are letting anyone down.
If you think you might be a young carer, please speak to a member of staff. We are here to listen and help.
Who Can I Speak To?
Designated Young Carer Lead: Miss Hanson
At Ferryhill School, Miss Hanson is our Designated Young Carer Lead and the main point of contact for students and families who would like advice, guidance or additional support relating to young carers.
If you are a young carer, think you may be a young carer, or would like to discuss the support available, please get in touch.
Miss Hanson – Designated Young Carer Lead
Email: cha@ferryhill.school
School telephone: 01740 651554
Students can also speak to their Form Tutor, Head of Year or another trusted member of staff.
Parents and carers are welcome to contact the school if they believe their child may have caring responsibilities and would benefit from additional support.
External Support – Family Action: The Bridge Young Carers Service
Ferryhill School recognises the importance of working with specialist organisations to help young carers and their families.
The Bridge Young Carers and Young Adult Carers Service, delivered by Family Action, supports children, young people and families across County Durham.
The service offers support for young carers aged 5–17 and young adult carers aged 18–24.
The Bridge uses a whole-family approach to understand the circumstances of young carers and identify the support that could make a positive difference.
What support can The Bridge offer?
Support includes:
Young Carers Needs Assessments: Helping young people identify their needs and understand the impact of their caring responsibilities.
One-to-one support: Individual support to discuss worries, challenges and personal goals.
Whole-family support: Working with families to identify practical and emotional support needs.
Peer support: Opportunities for young carers to connect with others who have similar experiences.
Carers' breaks: Opportunities to enjoy activities and time away from caring responsibilities.
Transition support: Helping young people prepare for changes in education, employment and adulthood.
Advice and referrals: Connecting young carers and families with other appropriate services.
Contact The Bridge
Family Action – The Bridge Young Carers Service
Telephone: 0191 383 2520
Email: durhamyoungcarers@family-action.org.uk
Website: The Bridge – Young Carers Durham
Families can contact the service directly or speak to Miss Hanson for guidance about accessing support.
Other Useful Organisations and Support
Durham County Carers Support
Provides information, guidance and practical support to unpaid carers across County Durham.
Telephone: 0300 005 1213
Website: Durham County Carers Support
The Children's Society
Offers advice and information for young carers, including support with education, wellbeing, rights and future opportunities.
Website: Advice and Support for Young Carers
Carers Trust
A national organisation that supports unpaid carers, including young carers and young adult carers. Its website offers information about caring responsibilities, wellbeing and accessing support.
Website: Carers Trust
Carers UK
Provides practical advice and information for people with caring responsibilities and their families.
Website: Carers UK
Youth Access
Provides information about services offering advice, guidance and support for young people's wellbeing and mental health.
Website: Youth Access
Our Promise to Young Carers
At Ferryhill School, we believe that every student deserves to feel safe, supported, included and able to achieve their potential.
We recognise the important contribution that young carers make to their families, while also understanding that they need time and opportunities to enjoy their own childhood, develop friendships, succeed in education and pursue their ambitions.
We are committed to listening to our young carers, understanding their individual circumstances and helping them access the support and opportunities they deserve.
Being a young carer should never prevent a student from achieving their ambitions or looking forward to a positive future.
Ferryhill School – Best selves, bold futures.
Whatever your experience, it is important to remember that you are not alone.
You do not need to manage everything by yourself, and asking for support does not mean that you are letting anyone down.
If you think you might be a young carer, please speak to a member of staff. We are here to listen and help.
Who Can I Speak To?
Designated Young Carer Lead: Miss Hanson
At Ferryhill School, Miss Hanson is our Designated Young Carer Lead and the main point of contact for students and families who would like advice, guidance or additional support relating to young carers.
If you are a young carer, think you may be a young carer, or would like to discuss the support available, please get in touch.
Miss Hanson – Designated Young Carer Lead
Email: cha@ferryhill.school
School telephone: 01740 651554
Students can also speak to their Form Tutor, Head of Year or another trusted member of staff.
Parents and carers are welcome to contact the school if they believe their child may have caring responsibilities and would benefit from additional support.
External Support – Family Action: The Bridge Young Carers Service
Ferryhill School recognises the importance of working with specialist organisations to help young carers and their families.
The Bridge Young Carers and Young Adult Carers Service, delivered by Family Action, supports children, young people and families across County Durham.
The service offers support for young carers aged 5–17 and young adult carers aged 18–24.
The Bridge uses a whole-family approach to understand the circumstances of young carers and identify the support that could make a positive difference.
What support can The Bridge offer?
Support includes:
Young Carers Needs Assessments: Helping young people identify their needs and understand the impact of their caring responsibilities.
One-to-one support: Individual support to discuss worries, challenges and personal goals.
Whole-family support: Working with families to identify practical and emotional support needs.
Peer support: Opportunities for young carers to connect with others who have similar experiences.
Carers' breaks: Opportunities to enjoy activities and time away from caring responsibilities.
Transition support: Helping young people prepare for changes in education, employment and adulthood.
Advice and referrals: Connecting young carers and families with other appropriate services.
Contact The Bridge
Family Action – The Bridge Young Carers Service
Telephone: 0191 383 2520
Email: durhamyoungcarers@family-action.org.uk
Website: The Bridge – Young Carers Durham
Families can contact the service directly or speak to Miss Hanson for guidance about accessing support.
Other Useful Organisations and Support
Durham County Carers Support
Provides information, guidance and practical support to unpaid carers across County Durham.
Telephone: 0300 005 1213
Website: Durham County Carers Support
The Children's Society
Offers advice and information for young carers, including support with education, wellbeing, rights and future opportunities.
Website: Advice and Support for Young Carers
Carers Trust
A national organisation that supports unpaid carers, including young carers and young adult carers. Its website offers information about caring responsibilities, wellbeing and accessing support.
Website: Carers Trust
Carers UK
Provides practical advice and information for people with caring responsibilities and their families.
Website: Carers UK
Youth Access
Provides information about services offering advice, guidance and support for young people's wellbeing and mental health.
Website: Youth Access
Our Promise to Young Carers
At Ferryhill School, we believe that every student deserves to feel safe, supported, included and able to achieve their potential.
We recognise the important contribution that young carers make to their families, while also understanding that they need time and opportunities to enjoy their own childhood, develop friendships, succeed in education and pursue their ambitions.
We are committed to listening to our young carers, understanding their individual circumstances and helping them access the support and opportunities they deserve.
Being a young carer should never prevent a student from achieving their ambitions or looking forward to a positive future.
Ferryhill School – Best selves, bold futures.