‘Teachers’ perceptions of supporting young carers in schools: identifying support needs and the importance of home-school relationships’

Author(s): Warhurst, Amy; Bayless, Sarah; Maynard, Emma
Publisher: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
Year Published: 2022
Resource type: Peer Reviewed Research Article

Summary:

This article explores the voices of school staff about their experiences in identifying
and supporting young carers, with the intend of better understanding enablers and barriers. Teaching staff were recruited from multiple Primary and Secondary schools in Hampshire, of which 18 teaching staff engaged in one-to-one interviewers with the research team. Themes from the interviews were summarized into two categories with several subcategories: school perceptions regarding the characteristics of young carers, and school perceptions regarding the importance of the school-family relationship. Findings demonstrated that teachers identified multiple barriers in identifying young carers in situations where information was not volunteered, and trust-relationships had not been established between the school, student, and parents. Also, teachers indicated that available support in schools for young carers was predominantly related to emotional wellbeing and academic opportunities. This study suggested that the academic gap, lack of access to emotional support, and disadvantages that are common among young carers should be better met with a holistic approach.

Citation: Warhurst, A., Bayless, S., & Maynard, E. (2022). Teachers’ Perceptions of Supporting Young Carers in Schools: Identifying Support Needs and the Importance of Home–School Relationships. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(17), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph191710755

Keywords: Young carers; school; identification; support

Where the data was collected: United Kingdom