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Young carers in education

The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) has described an informal/unpaid carer (PDF) as: “someone who provides unpaid help to a friend or family member needing support, perhaps due to illness, older age, disability, a mental health condition or an addiction”, as long as they are not employed to do so.

In terms of young carers, the NHS describes a young carer as someone under the age of 18, who helps to look after a family member or relative with a disability, illness, mental health condition, or drug or alcohol problem.

If the carer is in school, they might have access to counselling. In England, they might also be eligible for additional Pupil Premium funding, which goes directly to their schools. Being a young carer doesn’t itself confer entitlement to the Pupil Premium, but young carers who are or who have been eligible for free school meals will attract the funding.

In further education, students in England with caring responsibilities might be able to access discretionary bursary support for people aged 16 to 19. However, they cannot claim Carer’s Allowance if they are studying for more than 21 hours a week.

A carer in higher education may be eligible for additional support through the UK’s respective student finance systems.