Stephen
Metcalfe MP is standing up for young carers in South Basildon and East Thurrock
after attending an even in Parliament this week organised by charity Family
Action. Mr Metcalfe is urging schools and colleges to Be Bothered! and
put the right support in place for young carers in school.
There
were between 4,500 and 6,000 young carers in Essex between 2009 and 2011. Young
Carers are children and young people caring for parents with a long term
illness, disability or mental health issue. Some young carers also care for
siblings or grandparents. This role can often negatively impact on young carers
performance at school resulting in problems with attendance and punctuality or
poor behaviour.
The
campaign also calls for the Government to do more to encourage schools to
support young carers including using the pupil premium to support this group.
Stephen
Metcalfe MP signed up to Family Action’s Be Bothered! Make Education
Count for Young Carers campaign to help raise awareness of the impact of caring
roles on vulnerable young people. The campaign calls for schools and colleges
to put the right support in place for young carers to improve their education
experience and give them the same opportunity to do well in school as their
non-caring peers.
Family
Action is a national charity that works with disadvantaged and vulnerable
families providing emotional, practical and financial support. As part of their
work they provide young carers services that work in partnership with schools
and local authorities to reduce the negative impacts of caring on children and
families. Schools that work with local young carers services can
significantly improve the experience of their young carers by putting effective
policies and procedures in place.
Mr
Metcalfe said: “I was delighted to attend Family Action’s Be Bothered!
Make Education Count for Young Carers Parliamentary Reception and show my
support for this often hidden group of young people. With research showing
approximately one in twelve secondary schools pupils could have caring
responsibilities, and some young carers are as young as five, its vital that we
work to ensure young carers are supported to do well in school and at home.”
Family
Action Chief Executive, Helen Dent said: “It was great to see Stephen Metcalfe
MP at our event supporting young carers. We know from our work that
organisations including schools and local authorities working together with
young carers services can make a real difference to young carers futures.
Schools looking for information and support to make education count for young
carers can access our Be Bothered! Bulletin filled with hits and tips at
www.family-action.org.uk/bebothered”
