Supporting Young Carers in Schools in Northern Ireland

The Health and Social Care Board and Education Authority are delighted to jointly launch the ‘Supporting Young Carers in Schools’ Booklet, an important resource for primary and secondary schools. 

To better support young carers in school and to raise awareness of their needs especially among educators and teachers, the Children and Young People’s Strategic Partnership (CYPSP) Young Carers Group comprising the Health and Social Care Board in partnership with the Education Authority, Action for Children NI, Barnardo’s NI, Gingerbread NI and Carers Trust NI have produced a resource pack for primary and secondary school staff.

At least 10% of 16 year olds could be helping to care for a family member, providing up to 30 hours of care a week and 29% of these young carers have never told anyone outside their family about their caring responsibilities. These young people usually feel stressed, tired and isolated. 

 

 

Speaking at the event, Education Authority Chief Executive, Gavin Boyd said; “The Education Authority is proud to be a partner in this initiative to help schools understand the needs of young carers and to enhance the support provided to children and young people who have caring responsibilities. The young carers who were involved in the development of this resource are undoubtedly helping to make things a little easier for others who find themselves in similar circumstances to theirs”.

 

Click here to read more about the event by downloading the press release

 

The Supporting Young Carers in Schools Booklet can be downloaded by clicking here

 

Find out more about our Young Carers

Barnardo’s NI Young Carers have produced a short video on their experiences and role as a young carer supporting a family member. Click here to watch the video 

Action for Children’s Young Carers have put together a short photo stream collaboration of their time at the Regional Young Carers Service. Click here to watch this video

 

Contact Us:

For further information please contact CYPSP at 02895 363 261 or by email at cypsp@hscni.net 

 

Training for people affected by Dementia

The Alzheimer’s Society are hosting a series of FREE workshops for people who provide unpaid care and support for a family member, neighbour or friend living with dementia.

The course includes: understanding dementia, behaviour and how to improve communication; financial matters and benefits; stress management and coping strategies; health and well-being and accessing services.

The workshops will be held each Tuesday, with the first workshop taking place on Tuesday, 25 July 2017 and will continue until Tuesday,15 August 2017.  Each Workshop will commence at 11am – 1 pm and will be held in  Ballybot House, Newry.

Please note this training can also be delivered in the family setting.

For more information please click on the link below or contact Ann Ward on 028 30256057 or via email Ann.Ward@alzheimers.org.uk

Free Workshops for Informal Caregivers – Flyer

Invitation: Launch of the ‘Supporting Young Carers in Schools’ Event

CYPSP would like to invite you to the launch of the Supporting Young Carers in Schools Booklet. The event will be held on:

27 September from 6pm-8pm

Linen Suite, Mossley Mill

Click here for further information

How to register

To register for this event please email Stephanie Thompson, CYPSP at Stephanie.thompson@hscni.net or telephone 02895 363 188 by Friday 8 September

 

Heroes Youth Awards – Young Carer of the Year Award 2016

The Health and Social Care Board have been commissioning a Young Carers Service across Northern Ireland since 2013.  On 20 May 2016 the Daily Mirror hosted the Heroes Youth Awards at the MAC Theatre, Belfast.  Latasha Moore aged 14 from the Southern Health and Social Care Trust area was honoured with the Young Carer of the Year Award. Latasha has been supporting her family that includes the care of her mother, three siblings and interpreter support for her father whom is profoundly deaf.

The judge of the awards stated “Latasha stood out because she has so many responsibilities in the home.  Latasha has a mature head on young shoulders – she is a real inspiration”.

Well done to Latasha from all at CYPSP!