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Teachers’ Perceptions of Supporting Young Carers in Schools: Identifying Support Needs and the Importance of Home–School Relationships

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  • Amy Warhurst

    (Department of Psychology, University of Winchester, Winchester SO22 4NR, UK)

  • Sarah Bayless

    (Department of Psychology, University of Winchester, Winchester SO22 4NR, UK)

  • Emma Maynard

    (Department of Child & Family Health, King’s College London, James Clark Maxwell Building, London SE1 8WA, UK)

Abstract

Recognition and support for young carers has improved steadily in the past two decades; with stronger legislation and more visibility and awareness of the challenges that many of the YC face, especially with respect to their education. Recent UK-based initiatives providing toolkits and guidance for school staff have provided much needed direction for schools, to support the loosely defined statutory requirements. The aim of the current research was to hear from school staff about their experiences in identifying and supporting young carers, to better understand any enablers and barriers. The thematic analysis of the interview data from 18 school staff was organized into two main themes: perceptions regarding the characteristics of young carers; and perceptions regarding the importance of home–school communication. Each superordinate theme contained several sub-themes. Overall, the teachers perceived many difficulties identifying young carers who did not volunteer this information and felt that the main enabler of identification was the trust relationships between the school and the pupil and parents. Once identified, the schools perceived the main areas of need that they could provide support for were the emotional wellbeing of the pupils and additional academic opportunities. They spoke too of the difficulties balancing the provision of this extra support within the constraints of the school context, both in terms of the school day, and the competing priorities relating to academic and social–emotional needs. School staff recognized that extra time outside of school was difficult for young carers to attend. Other subthemes are discussed with consideration to enablers and barriers. The implications for the dissemination of good practice, and addressing policy are considered.

Suggested Citation

  • Amy Warhurst & Sarah Bayless & Emma Maynard, 2022. "Teachers’ Perceptions of Supporting Young Carers in Schools: Identifying Support Needs and the Importance of Home–School Relationships," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(17), pages 1-18, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:17:p:10755-:d:900839
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Katrina Lloyd, 2013. "Happiness and Well-Being of Young Carers: Extent, Nature and Correlates of Caring Among 10 and 11 Year Old School Children," Journal of Happiness Studies, Springer, vol. 14(1), pages 67-80, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. Hinke M. van der Werf & Wolter Paans & Anneke L. Francke & Petrie F. Roodbol & Marie Louise A. Luttik, 2023. "Identifying and Supporting Students with a Chronically Ill Family Member: A Mixed-Methods Study on the Perceived Competences and Role Views of Lecturers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(6), pages 1-12, March.
    2. Aurélie Untas & Christel Vioulac & Pauline Justin & Agnes Leu & Géraldine Dorard, 2022. "Professionals’ Awareness of Young Carers in Schools: Results from a French Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-19, October.

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