Young Carers
A young carer is someone under the age of 18 who helps look after someone else. This could range from cooking and cleaning, to providing mental or physical support to a parent/guardian, sibling, or grandparent. Young carers show great responsibility, generally caring for members of their immediate family who may be:
- a parent with an illness, disability, mental health problem or dependence on alcohol or drugs
- an elderly grandparent who is frail, or who has a health problem or disability
- a brother or sister who has a health problem or disability
We appreciate the pressures that may come with such an important role, and we aim to do our best to provide additional support.
As part of our dedicated support for students, we have a designated member of our pastoral staff to oversee the support for young carers. Mrs Molloy is the young carers lead here at Fitzharrys School.
Mrs Molloy runs a Young Carers Club for each year group which meets twice a term during afternoon registration. This enables students to meet peers like themselves, discuss any worries and concerns, or simply just ‘hang out’.
It would help us greatly to know if there are any family circumstances, such as disability or long-term illness, which may mean that your child would benefit from additional support. If you think that your child may be a young carer and would like them to receive support within school, then please email cmolloy@fitzharrys.school.
If your child is already recognised as a young carer, but you would like them to receive additional support outside of school then please contact Mrs Molloy who will be able to support with referring your child to Be Free Young Carers - a charity in Oxfordshire devoted to improving young carers’ well-being and opportunities, through the provision of recreational, emotional and social support. For more information, visit the Be Free Young Carers website.
