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.
