Could your child be a Young Carer?

Why this matters

In this year's school census, 89,803 young carers were recorded in England. But more than half of schools (56%) recorded none at all, and a parliamentary enquiry has estimated there could be as many as one million young carers across the UK. That's roughly two in every classroom.

Closer to home, there are over 10,000 known young carers in Kent, with research suggesting up to 30,000 more could be hidden. In the Dover district alone there are thought to be more than 800, and the Dover Smart project is currently supporting over 250 of them.

When young carers aren't spotted, they don't get the help they need. On average, a young carer misses 27 days of school a year, and young adult carers are 38% less likely to get a university degree than their friends. Many feel tired, anxious and on their own, and often they don't even realise they're a young carer. Having the right things in place at school is often the first step to getting support for young carers.

At Key Stage 2, young carers are 12 percentage points behind their peers in reading, writing and maths. At GCSE, they're 25% less likely to achieve 5 or more passes, including English and Maths, and twice as likely to be suspended or excluded. (Source:Carers Trust, Caring and Classes 2025) Here in Dover, that pressure lands on top of some of the toughest circumstances in the country. Our district ranks worse than 94% of neighbourhoods nationally for education and income deprivation, and 95% for employment.

This is why, as a school, we are working alongside the Dover Smart project with both identifying and supporting young carers in our school. Dover Smart supports us to recognise young carers, understand what they're dealing with, and offer the right support, sensitively.   We have received a whole-school awareness assembly and additional training for staff, and we have access to advice from Dover Smart specialist young carer team.

If you feel that your child might be a young carer, please contact Mrs Biles or Mrs Goodwin who will be able to signpost both you and your child to support which is available in the community in addition to that available in school.

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