by UniTasterDays.com
Text provided in the Teachers' Guide to University brochure. Please see the author below.
posted on 20 Aug '23
A guide to how schools can support young carers to apply to university
Text provided by Andy McGowan for the UniTasterDays Teachers' Guide to University, when in-post as Head of Engagement at Caring Together
In every classroom, every lab, every dance
studio, in every college and sixth form across
the country, there will be at least 1 or 2 pupils
who are constantly juggling their studies with
caring responsibilities for ill or disabled family
members or friends – young carers.
A young carer is someone aged 18 or under
who provides unpaid care to a family member
or friend who could not cope without their
support. This support may be needed due to
illness, disability, a mental illness, or substance
misuse, or often a combination of these.
Many of these young carers will have the
potential to go onto higher education, and might
want to, but will think they ‘can’t’ because of
their caring responsibilities. We have spoken to
young carers who have successfully progressed
to university and asked them what helped them
feel able to apply and ultimately go onto higher
education. Their advice is below.
1. Make sure there is young carer awareness- raising for staff in college or sixth form and systems to identify young carers
You can only support the young carers who you know about – without awareness-raising and processes to help identify potential young carers, you will struggle to help them.
2. Don’t be afraid to challenge young carers
Some young carers make education or career choices because of their caring role. For some, they think caring is ‘the only thing I know how to do’ or think university isn’t an option because ‘who will look after mum?’ or ‘how could I afford university when dad isn’t well enough to work?’ For other young carers they can struggle with feelings of guilt.
3. Make sure you know what support is available for young carers in your area and that students know what support is on hand both in college/school and outside
If you don’t know who your local young carers organisation is, you can find your nearest service by visiting The Children’s Society.
4. Encourage colleagues, including senior management, to review what support you offer to your young carers
From financial support to flexibility with deadlines, to additional support around next steps after college – having a carer-friendly school or college can make a huge difference for young carers.
“At the application stage, I started to feel a lot of
guilt – I knew with the course I’d have to move
away from home as my local universities don’t
offer it. I experienced a lot of conflict – I was
excited about the course, opportunities and
student life but it also felt really unfair that I
was going away living my best life, leaving more
for mum to do. I kept flitting from one extreme
to the other – really excited to ‘I’m the worst
person’. Luckily, my tutor was really supportive
– she actually got quite cross at me when I told
her about my guilt – she sorted me out!”
- Holly, 1st year undergraduate
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