Young Carers

What is a Young Carer?

A young person under 18 years of age who helps to look after a family member who is disabled, physically or mentally ill or has a substance misuse problem. Caring can involve physical or emotional care, or being responsible for someone’s safety and wellbeing. The level of responsibility assumed by a young carer is often inappropriate to their age and beyond the level of simply helping out at home as part of the process of growing up.

Young Carers might experience:

Being late or absent because of responsibilities at home
Concentration problems, anxiety or worry in school
Emotional distress
Tiredness in school
Lack of time for homework
Poor attainment
Becoming angry or frustrated
Isolation-feeling no-one understands
Bullying
Low self-esteem

Therefore, it is extremely important that we support our Young Carers in any way that they may need.

Young Carers Lead

Mrs Lynn Whitehead-Lewis is our Young Carers lead and she directly supports our group of Young Carers. They meet weekly on a Friday after school and do all sorts of fun activities. There is also time set aside in case a Young Carer needs to talk in confidence. If you think you or anyone you know is a Young Carer at Catchgate School please speak to Lynn or Mrs Shaw, who can help.

To show our appreciation to our Young Carers and as a thank you for all they do at school ,and at home, we like to treat them in school or take them out to different places throughout the year.

Take a look at all the fun things our Young Carers do....