Research suggests that around 7% of young people in Scotland have caring responsibilities. It is likely that this is an underestimate as not all young carers will recognise themselves as a young carer or identify as one.

The research shows that being a young carer tends to be associated with poorer health and well-being and suggests that young carers may face challenges in participating in social activities and may feel isolated as a result. Caring may also adversely affect some young carers education particularly in terms of attendance, tiredness levels and concentration, and even bullying.

Educational settings and practitioners can be a valuable source of support for young carers and evidence suggests that children and young people engaged in young carer support projects feel recognised, supported and valued.

This resource will help practitioners recognise young carers. It provides ideas about how they can effectively support them. This resource is a useful reference for whole staff or individual professional learning.

Young carers education booklet 2022 (860 KB)

Whole School Professional Learning

Module 1: Identifying Young Carers in Education (PPT)

Module 1: Script (Word)

Module 3: Ways to Support Young Carers in Education (PPT)

Module 3: Script (Word)

This professional learning, and an additional Module specifically for Pupil Support/Senior Leaders, is also available for individual study through our Professional Learning webpage. The individual modules contain additional reading and also allow participants to record the completion of their learning as part of their Professional Learning Log/Portfolio.

Learning at home

Balancing learning at home and caring responsibilities may be particularly difficult for young carers therefore online learning support and a trusted adult to talk to is vital. Virtual classes also provide opportunities for young carers to take a break from caring and to see friends.

Encourage young carers to identify themselves to schools by sharing this video of a young adult carer and a member of the Scottish Youth Parliament with your pupils.

Celebrate young carers

Scottish Young Carers Festival 2019

Raise awareness of young carers

Things Teachers Should Know About Young Carers

Perth and Kinross Young Carers Awareness Podcast 2020

Professional Learning Pack: Working Together to support Young Carers in Perth and Kinross

Supporting Young carers in education

Young Carers Awareness Training

Creative ways to support young carers

Education Attainment Service

West Dunbartonshire – Y Sort It

Renfrewshire’s Young Carers Packs

Stirling’s Young Carers Service

Perth and Kinross – Additional support for Young Carers

Young Scot - Young Carers

Stay connected

Ideas for providing family support and engaging and supporting young carers

Signposting to Family Support Helplines

Pupil voice

Perth and Kinross Young Carers Voice

Children’s Parliament Survey Read the report summary.

Carers Trust Scotland Survey 

Support planning

COVID 19 Personalised Emergency Information Sheet

Perth and Kinross – Young Carer’s ID Card

Transitions in 2020

The carer's trust Scotland Digital Education Hub links to local supports services.

Shared Care Scotland offer local Information for carers.

Improvement questions

1. How am I helping young carers be ready to learn and then engage in learning?
2. What could I do more of, less of, or differently to support young carers?
3. How can partnership working, with other practitioners, parents, the wider community, and partners, be developed further to better support young carers?
4. Are our young carers recorded in SEEMIS as having additional support needs?
5. What professional learning do I need, or can I offer, to support practitioners who work with young carers?