Sheldon School in Chippenham has been formally recognised for its work supporting pupils with caring responsibilities after achieving the Young Carers in Schools Award.
The award highlights the school’s proactive approach to identifying young carers early and making sure they receive the support they need throughout their education.
Young carers are children and young people under 18 who regularly provide care or practical support to a family member who cannot cope independently because of illness, disability, mental health needs or substance misuse.
Balancing these responsibilities with school life can place additional pressure on young people and may affect attendance, emotional wellbeing and engagement with learning.
Many young carers do not recognise themselves as carers, which means they can remain unnoticed unless schools have strong support systems in place.
The Young Carers in Schools programme is delivered by Carers Trust in partnership with The Children’s Society. It helps schools develop effective whole-school systems to recognise young carers and respond to their needs.
Over the past year, Sheldon School has delivered a co-ordinated programme of awareness raising and support, with guidance from Wiltshire Council’s Voice and Participation Team.
This has included assemblies for every year group to help pupils understand the experiences of young carers, reduce stigma and build awareness among peers.
Staff have also taken part in specialist training delivered by two Young Carer Ambassadors from Wiltshire Council’s Voice and Participation Team.
The school has worked closely with Young Carer Assessors at Wiltshire Council, Youth Action Wiltshire and Carers Together so that young carers and their families can access wider community support and early help.
Other measures introduced by the school include a dedicated Young Carers website for families, a standard operating procedure to ensure a consistent approach to identification and follow-up, and a weekly Young Carers Group.
A termly Young Carers Breakfast Club has also been created to help pupils build friendships and receive pastoral support in an informal setting.
To mark the achievement, Sheldon School held a celebration event bringing together pupils, staff and representatives from Wiltshire Council.
Headteacher Peter Lynch said, “We are incredibly proud to receive the Young Carers in Schools Award, as it recognises our commitment to ensuring that every young carer feels seen, supported and valued.
“Young carers balance so much both in and outside of school, and we are glad that we can play our part in supporting them and their families. This award is a testament to our whole-school approach, showing that Sheldon is a place where young carers can flourish.”
Cllr Jon Hubbard, Wiltshire Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Education and Skills, said, “It’s clear Sheldon School has taken some great actions to champion and support its young carers, creating a place where they are understood, valued, and encouraged to thrive.
“We are delighted to stand alongside you in this work, and we’ll support the school as it continues to make such a positive difference to these remarkable young people.”
