Young Carers
Forest Hall School is a trailblazer school for young carers, working in conjunction with The Children’s Society.
Who are young carers?
The official definition of a young carer is '…a person under 18 who provides or intends to provide care for another person (of any age, except where that care is provided for payment, pursuant to a contract or as voluntary work).' Children and Families Act 2014 Section 96. Many children do not realise they are young carers.
What do young carers do?
Young carers help with tasks usually done by an adult:
- Bathing, dressing or washing
- Listening, when someone is upset
- Giving medicine
- Cooking, cleaning, shopping
- Looking after brothers or sisters
In Forest Hall School we feel Young Carers should have someone to talk to and offer support if required. Support is either available through dedicated staff at Forest Hall School or using the recognised charities of Essex Young Carers and Action for Family Carers. Our dedicated team of Pupil Welfare Officers (POWs) and Heads of Year are available for students' to drop in at break times and lunch times.
Young carers are identified and discussed at monthly inclusion meetings and appropriate interventions put into place if they are required.
If you require any more information regarding young carers, please email our Young Carers Lead Mrs D Sheppard: SheppardD@bmatforesthall.org.uk or our Young Carers Champion Miss K Trainor: TrainorK1@bmatforesthall.org.uk
Forest Hall School wins prestigious award for supporting students who are young carers
Forest Hall School has won a prestigious award for its work supporting young carers with their education.
The school was presented with the Young Carers in Schools award on 8th August 2025. Young carers are children under 18 who are responsible for the care of a family member with who, due to illness, disability, mental health condition or addiction, can’t cope without their support.
The award is part of the Young Carers in School programme run by charities The Children’s Society and Carers Trust. The programme provides primary and secondary schools across England with step-by-step guidance for teachers, leaders and non-teaching staff to gain the practical tools they need to help young carers.
Forest Hall School won the award by demonstrating how it supports young carers. This includes running homework clubs and drop-in sessions with a member of staff responsible for this vulnerable group of pupils.
Research by Carers Trust shows 40% of young carers say they don’t get enough support to balance education and caring. Separate research by The Children’s Society shows young carers get an average of one grade lower in GCSE subjects than their peers and they often also have lower levels of self-confidence and mental wellbeing.
Statutory guidance makes clear that all school staff should be particularly alert to the potential need for early help for young carers. The Young Carers in School programme is a way of helping schools address this.
Vicky Morgan, Carers Trust’s Head of Young Carers at Young Adult Carers, said:
“We’re delighted to present the Young Carers in Schools award to Forest Hall School. Figures show there are two young carers in every classroom but balancing learning with looking after family members can be tough without help. By identifying young carers and putting support in place, schools and teachers can make a huge difference to their wellbeing and education. That’s why the brilliant work done by staff at Forest Hall School is so vital and why this award is so richly deserved.”
Lisa Witherden, Head of National Programmes at The Children’s Society said:
"Recent figures from the school census highlight that nearly 80% of schools reported they had zero young carers in their pupil population. We know this simply isn't true and that young carers are a hidden group of children and young people who need support to achieve the same level of success as their peers at school. We're absolutely thrilled that Forest Hall School has achieved the Young Carers in Schools award, demonstrating their commitment to identifying these hidden children and young people and ensuring they get the vital support they need to thrive in education and in life beyond school."