Young Carers

At Chenderit School, all staff receive awareness training to help identify young carers and understand that there is a range of support available to support these students. The work we do to support young carers in school is endorsed by the senior leadership team and the school governing body.

We have staff in school who lead our Young Carers support programme:

Mr B Belstone | Deputy Headteacher and LT Lead for Young Carers

Mrs J Hooper | Safeguarding, Student Welfare and Parent Support Manager and Young Carers School Lead

Mrs R Brenchley | Welfare Assistant and Young Carers Operational Lead

What support is available to Young Carers in school?

Every Thursday in the Inclusion centre between 8:10am  and 8:35am, there is a drop in for young carers to meet each other, have a cup of tea and a biscuit or speak to Mrs Brenchley.

Mrs Brenchley is available every morning between 8:00am and 8:30am, and after school until 4:00pm for young carers to speak to her if they need any additional help with their school work, homework or signposting to further support outside of school.

Young carers can also request support from Mrs Brenchley, Mrs Hooper or Mrs Smith through their tutor, who will submit a request on their behalf.

What wider support is available   for Young Carers outside of school?

Support for young carers in Northamptonshire

Northamptonshire Young Carers

Tel: 01933 677907, option 3

Email: YoungCarersTeam@northamptonshire-carers.org

Support for young carers in Oxfordshire

Crossroads Care Oxfordshire

Crossroads Centre Marston Court, Harberton Mead, Marston, Oxfordshire, OX3 0EA

Tel: 01865 260280

Email: care@oxfordshirecrossroads.org.uk

Website: www.oxfordshirecrossroads.org.uk

 Other support for young carers

The following information is from the carers.org website, where you can find links to help and support outside of school.

• Carers Trust's network of local carer organisations in England, Scotland and Wales offer information, advice, practical support and/or care in the home. Many of them, but not all, have services for young carers and young adult carers. Find your nearest one by searching on the carers.org website.

• The Children’s Society may also  be able to help you find a young carer service near you

• The Booklet for Young Carers has been developed for young carers by young carers and covers topics such as looking after yourself, growing up as a carer and dreaming about your future.

•  The Children’s Society works with children and young people and has lots of advice and resources for young carers on its website.

• Sidekick is a confidential helpline for young carers in the UK. You can text or email the service about anything that’s bothering you as a young carer. You’ll hear back from a friendly Sidekick coach, usually within 24 hours.

• Carers UK is the UK's membership charity for carers of all ages offering advice, information and an online forum for carers over 18.

• The Mix provides support for young people aged 25 and under on things such as mental health, relationships and money.  It has recently launched an online group chat for young carers/young adult carers which takes place on Friday evenings.

• Childline can help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. It offers advice, information and a counselling service. You can phone on Freephone 0800 1111, send an email, have a 1-2-1 chat, send a message to Ask Sam and post messages to the Childline message boards. Visit the website to find out more. 

Financial advice and support

• Find out about financial support for young and young adult carers on the Money Advice website.

• Read about benefits, grants and other sources of financial help on the Carers.org website that you may be able to claim.

Your rights as young carers in England

• See the booklet Know your Rights: Support for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers in England.

• LawStuff gives free legal information to young people in England. LawStuff is run by Coram Children’s Legal Centre, which provides more detailed information both over the phone and online.

• The Children’s Society's website also has information for children and young people in England on your rights.

• The Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England speaks up for children and young people so that policymakers and the people who have an impact on their lives take their views and interests into account when making decisions about them.

Wellbeing and mental health

• Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. They're there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, wherever you live in the UK.  You can call Samaritans on Freephone: 116 123, 24 hours a day, seven days a week or visit the website for more ways to get in touch. Contact Samaritans Cymru for a Welsh language service.

• Mind provides information and support for people with mental health problems in England. Mind Cymru is Mind in Wales providing information and support in English and Welsh.

• Young Minds offers information about looking after yourself, coping with mental health issues, feelings, symptoms and conditions, wherever you live in the UK. Services include a free 24-hour crisis messenger if you are experiencing a mental health crisis and a Parents Helpline for parents across the UK.  Find out more on the Young Minds' website.

• Kooth provides free  anonymous online support for young people. You can read articles written by young people, speak with a counsellor and access support from the Kooth community.

• The Children’s Society’s website has details of organisations that can help with wellbeing and mental health.