Young Carers JSNA

What needs to be done and why?

Strategic Issue 1

What needs to be done
  • Set a standardised identification pathway across all settings (including FE), a named Young Carers Lead in every school/college, and routine enquiry points (admissions, transition meetings, pastoral, attendance reviews, safeguarding, EHCP/Early Help).
  • Prioritise proactive outreach in the most deprived wards/schools, culturally competent engagement (translated materials, community partners), and embedded screening in adult mental health, substance misuse, and domestic abuse pathways to identify children in those households.
  • Embed Young Carer screening into Early Help, MASH enquiry templates, and adult services assessments.
  • Ensure Young Carer pathways lead to a needs assessment and clear support plan, in line with statutory duties to identify, assess, and prevent inappropriate caring.
  • Provide staff training for DSLs, attendance leads, tutors, SENCOs, AP/special, and FE staff.
  • Publish a Young Carer Practice Toolkit (screening prompts, consent scripts, referral routes, helpful classroom adjustments) and utilise available toolkits such as the Young Carers Identification Guide by Action for Carers.
  • Data:
    • Mandate a standard Young Carer flag in all school MIS, AP/special, and FE systems; align codes with commissioned provider.
    • Establish a termly dashboard with school- and ward-level heatmaps, and a funnel view (identified → assessed → support in place → outcomes).
    • Strengthen LA–ICS data‑sharing agreements (YC consented) across adult/children’s services.
Why
  • A standardised identification pathway ensures continuity across all settings.
  • Young people are at increased risk of becoming Young Carers in more socioeconomically deprived areas and through other areas of vulnerability.
  • Screening in all settings reduces the likelihood of a Young Carer being missed.
  • Individualised needs assessments ensures the needs of each Young Carer are met.
  • Identification depends on staff confidence (knowing the signs, asking questions sensitively, knowing next steps).
  • Ensures clear guidance and continuity across settings.
  • Lack of consistent Young Carers flag across systems impedes tracking and support. Current rates signal under-recording in some phases and settings.

Strategic Issue 2

What needs to be done
  • Institute transition protocols: Y6 to Y7 and Y11 to post‑16 handovers must include YC status, support plan, and a named contact.
  • Secure data‑sharing agreements with FE providers; include Young Carer checks at enrolment and bursary assessments.
  • Follow guidance such as the Ofsted Framework: How schools and colleges can support Young Carers, 5-step guide by Carers Trust.
  • Adopt reasonable adjustments (flexible deadlines, homework support, exam access arrangements), embed attendance case‑finding for potential Young Carers, and monitor attainment/absence gaps for YC vs non-YC cohorts.
  • Launch a YC awareness campaign timed to transitions (July–Oct) and attendance drives.
  • Co‑design solutions with local young carers (what helps, what doesn’t), and create peer support offers in secondary and FE.
Why
  • Transition handovers must include Young Carers status, support plan and named contact to reduce risk of slippage in transition periods.
  • Providing appropriate support to known young carers is essential.
  • By making pupils / parents or guardians / staff aware and advertising the support available could encourage identification.
  • Co-design creates solutions and interventions based on real-experience which are more successful.

Strategic Issue 3

What needs to be done
  • Undertake a capacity model and commissioning review: define triage (universal/targeted/specialist), referral pathways, and maximum caseloads. Consider pooled funding via ICS/LA for young carers, with a clear threshold framework to prevent “inappropriate caring.”
  • Consider research including NIHR’s ‘What support do young carers find helpful?’ to invest in appropriate, helpful services for Young Carers and use the Young Carer’s Assessment for individualised need assessment.
  • Data:
    • Mandate a standard Young Carer flag in all school MIS, AP/special, and FE systems; align codes with commissioned provider.
    • Establish a termly dashboard with school- and ward-level heatmaps, and a funnel view (identified → assessed → support in place → outcomes).
    • Strengthen LA–ICS data‑sharing agreements (YC consented) across adult/children’s services.
Why
  • Anticipating future need and developing referral pathways to withstand future demand on services.
  • Standard flags ensure Young Carers are not lost or missed through their educational career or across services.