Identifying a Young Carer in school
Signs which may indicate that a child is caring for someone at home may include:
- Arriving late at school
- Missing days at school
- Tiredness
- Hunger
- Clothing or appearance may not be clean or tidy
- Underachievement
- Unable to complete home work on time
- Withdrawn, over sensitive, low self esteem
- Behavioural problems
- Difficulties with peer group, limited social skills
- Isolation, embarrassed to take friends home
- Not attending after school activities or activities in local area
- Non attendance on school trips, particularly residential
- Being bullied
- Financial difficulties
- Physical problems, such as back pain from lifting
- False signs of maturity, from assuming adult roles
Parents may have little or no contact with school, be unable to attend parents evenings, review days, or social activities.