Young Carers
We are extremely proud to have such admirable young people who have high expectations in school, whilst caring for a parent or relative at home. It is challenging to balance personal and family responsibility with that of their studies and that is why we put everything possible in place to ensure our young carers gain the education and qualifications they need to be successful in the future.
Our work with Suffolk Family Carers has been identified as demonstrating exemplary practice, and has been recognised through their in-school scheme. We are very proud that Ormiston Denes Academy holds the Platinum Award for supporting our young carers in school.
We work with Suffolk Family Carers in relation to their support for young carers in Suffolk, and in particular those within our academy.
We have a number of young people in school who are young carers, and we support them in many different ways.
- In school meetings are arranged to allow students to work with Young Carer Advisors from Suffolk Family Carers.
- Additional arrangements can be made for extended homework deadlines if necessary.
- Students can contact home during the course of the school day if they need to check on a family member that they care for.
- Young Carer information board.
- Awareness raising activities in assemblies, form time, PSHE lessons and on social media.
- Dedicated webpage on our website
If you would like to have any further information regarding our support for young carers in our academy, please contact the year team or Julie Richings on 01502 574474 or email j[email protected]
Are you aged between 5 and 25? Does a member of your household have a long-term illness, a disability, mental health issues or drug/alcohol addiction? If you said ‘yes’ to these questions, Suffolk Young Carers is here to help.
• Tel: 01473 835477
• Email: [email protected]
• Web contact: https://suffolkfamilycarers.org/who-do-we-support/young-carers/
A young carer is a child or young person aged between 5 to 25 years old whose life is in some way different or restricted because they provide, practical or emotional support to someone else.
The person they provide care for is often a family member who has a physical disability, a long-term physical illness, a mental health illness or a dependency on drugs and/or alcohol. Young carers could also be supporting and caring for a disabled brother or sister.
Young Carers do more in the family home than would usually be expected by a child of their age. This might mean that they do the shopping or manage the household bills, support someone emotionally or provide help to someone to get them washed and dressed. Being a young carer can mean that sometimes it can be difficult managing the things they feel they have to do or would like to do. This can affect young people in many different ways.
Suffolk Family Carers welcome referrals for young people aged 4 years and upwards, who are doing more than would usually be expected of a person their age, due to the long-term condition of a family member. They refer to carers aged 16-24 years as young adult carers.
Their experienced team can offer:
- Small group or one to one catch ups to provide well-being support.
- Opportunities to meet other carers and have a break from their caring role.
- Workshops and programmes to build confidence and life skills.
- Agreed ‘need led’ short term support.
- Representing (advocating) and a young carers’ voice needs to be heard.
- Advice on alternative support and opportunities available.
- Work with the family to agree ways they can support where possible to reduce the caring role.
- ‘Your Space’ dedicated online space on the Suffolk Young Carers website specifically for young carers.
The young people they work with say: “The advisers are very friendly and give you useful advice and information that will make you feel happier and more confident when speaking to others. Plus, it’s a great way to make new friends who are in the same situations as yourself. It’s a great way to have a break from home.”
Suffolk Young Carers offer a range of events and activities throughout the year, and information can be found here.
If you would like to register a young person for support, please either speak to Mrs Richings or a member of the year team. Alternatively referrals can be made online at
The registration can register one or more family carers at the same time, along with the details of the person, or people they care for.
Are you aged 9 to 15? Does a member of your household have a long term illness, a disability, mental health issues or drug/alcohol addiction? If you said ‘yes’ to these questions, Suffolk Young Carers is here to help.
• Tel: 01473 835430
• Email: [email protected]
• Web: Young Carers