A school lead will be assigned and will have special responsibility for Young Carers and their families.

Students and families will be made aware of the identity of the school's lead.

During the school enrolment process for new students, the school will identify whether:

• parent(s) or family members have disabilities or other long-term physical or mental health problems

• the student helps to look after them and if this has an impact on their education.

Students who are Young Carers will be identified along with any additional needs they  may have.

The academy will use and evaluate data effectively to identify and monitor the progress made by Young Carers.

The academy will aim to offer support to improve attendance and student’s wellbeing.

The right to student’s and families’ privacy will be respected and the academy will only  share information with professionals and agencies on a ‘need to know basis’ in order to support students and families.

Information about support available for Young Carers and how to access it will be made clearly available to both students and families.

The school recognises that Young Carers and their families need to receive coordinated support by the academy, working in partnership where appropriate with general  practitioners, Young Carers’ services, behaviour and education support teams

Young Carers will be referred or signposted to other support agencies and professionals  as appropriate, including the local Young Carers’ service.

The academy will refer or signpost families to other support services when appropriate

The academy adheres to the Disability Discrimination Acts (1995, 2005).

The academy is accessible to parents with disabilities and/or illness, offering additional support to enable them to attend parents’ evenings or other academy events. Home visits will be considered where appropriate.

The academy will offer additional support to remove any communication barriers with parents, so that parents are able to be fully engaged with the education of their child.

The academy will identify those Young Carers at risk of falling into the ‘Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET)’ category and take appropriate actions to address this.

The academy will offer support to the young person and their family during the transition process, sharing agreed information with their new school/college lead for Young Carers  and their families.

Relevant aspects of the curriculum will be used to encourage positive approaches by all teachers and staff working with Young Carers.

The academy will use the curriculum to promote a full understanding, acceptance of, and respect for, issues such as caring, disability and impairment, for example, embedding the challenges faced by Young Carers into the curriculum.

The school will consider alternatives if a Young Carer is unable to attend out of the academy activities, such as sports coaching or concerts, due to their caring role. The school will also consider lunchtime detentions rather than after school ones.

The school will allow Young Carers to use a telephone to call home during breaks and lunchtimes so as
to reduce any worry they may have about a family member.

Other appropriate policies, such as a bullying policy, will take Young Carers into account.