Supporting students who are young carers is a priority for the colleges and training providers that make up the Education Training Collective (Etc.).

Now national recognition for those efforts has seen the group named among the latest schools and colleges nationally to receive the Young Carers in Schools Award.

“This is fantastic acknowledgement of the work we do to support those students with caring responsibilities at home with their education,” said student experience and wellbeing manager, Helen Challinor. “For us, it is also about raising awareness and celebrating our young carers.”

Incorporating NETA Training, Bede Sixth Form College, Redcar and Cleveland College and Stockton Riverside College, the group achieved the award by demonstrating the many ways it reaches out to provide support and guidance to young carers, both in college and working with external agencies such as the Eastern Ravens Trust.

Helen said: “We also have young carer champions working across all of our campuses who are well promoted so our students know there are people available to speak to.”

While they may not be able to ease the burden, she explained it certainly helps for teams to understand the additional challenges a student may be facing and put steps in place to assist with any pressure points.

But, for all those young people with caring responsibilities they are aware of, Helen believes there could be many others who may not even recognise themselves as young carers.

Young carers are children and young people, under 18, who are responsible for the care of a family member who, due to issues such as illness, disability, a mental health condition or addiction, can’t cope without their support.

“This is why we want to raise awareness, among students, staff and the young carers themselves,” said Helen. “It is so important we recognise who our young carers are so that we can support them and also celebrate what they do.

“It’s all about having that awareness of an individuals’ circumstances and being able to offer flexibility.”

She added it can also help for fellow students to understand why someone might not have time to socialise or need to rush straight home at the end of a session.

The Young Carers in Schools Award is part of the Young Carers in School programme run by The Children’s Society and Carers Trust.

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 often also have lower levels of self-confidence and mental wellbeing.

Vicky Morgan, Carers Trust’s Head of Young Carers and Young Adult Carers, said: “We’re delighted to present the Young Carers in Schools Award to the Education Training Collective. By identifying young carers and putting support in place, schools and teachers can make a huge difference to their wellbeing and education.”

Lisa Witherden, Head of National Programmes at The Children’s Society said: “Young carers are a hidden group of children and young people who need support to achieve the same level of success as their peers. We’re absolutely thrilled that the Education Training Collective has achieved the Young Carers in Schools Award, demonstrating their commitment to identifying these hidden young people and ensuring they get the vital support they need to thrive in education.”