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St Clement's High School

Young Carer’s at StC

The Young carer group meets every two weeks on a Thursday lunchtime in school, we also offer 1-1 support meetings for students.

In January 2024, the school has seen its accreditation renewed and has once again met the standards for the Carer Friendly Tick Award. To read more click here.

If you have any questions or queries regarding Young Carer’s please speak to Mrs R Fisher.

 

What might a young carer do?

Practical tasks, like cooking, housework and shopping.

Physical care such as helping someone get out of bed.

Emotional support, including talking to someone who is distressed.

Personal care, such as helping someone dress.

Managing the family budget and collecting prescriptions.

Helping to give medicine.

Helping someone communicate.

Looking after brothers and sisters with additional needs

Families affected by drug or alcohol misuse

Being a young carer can have a big impact on the things that are important to growing up:

  • It can affect a young person’s health, social life and self-confidence.
  • Many young carers struggle to juggle their education and caring which can cause pressure and stress.
  • In a national survey, 39% said that nobody in their school was aware of their caring role.
  • 1 in 20 miss school because of their caring role.
  • But young people can learn lots of useful skills by being a young carer

How do we support young carers in school

  • Fortnightly meetings
  • End of Year Party
  • Support from Mrs Fisher as Young Carer Lead
  • 1:1 meetings with West Norfolk Carers (subject to availability)
  • Staff training annually
  • Support in accessing activities outside of school
  • Emotional and mental health support
  • Information on the Young Carer’s display board in the cross roads
  • Leaflets and literature available

What our Young Carers say - The not so good bit's about being a young carer

With so many adult responsibilities, sometimes we miss out on opportunities that other young people have. 

Often we worry about those at home, it can be hard to concentrate in school.

We can feel lonely, with no relief from the pressures at home, and no chance to enjoy a normal childhood. 

Young Carers are often afraid to ask for help for fear of letting the family down or being taken into care.

What our young carers say at St Clement's High School 


“There are Young Carer groups within the community”

“We have a Young Carer group in school”

“There is support in school and staff who understand and give me information to help me”

“I have access to a school telephone should I need to call home”

“1-1 sessions with our Young Carer worker are really  helpful”

“I love meeting other people my age in school who are Young Carer’s”

“Feeling supported and helped”
 

West Norfolk Carers

WEST NORFOLK CARERS …..... is a small independent charity, with a strong history supporting unpaid carers and their families. The youngest, young carer they support is 6 years old and the oldest person they support is 97 years old. Working across such a range of ages, they tailor support to the individual, so each person gains support appropriate to their needs. They work to help family carers to improve their emotional and physical well-being, resilience and abilities to cope with their caring roles - whilst also having a ‘life of their own’. They are dedicated to supporting family carers of all ages and helping them to cope with their caring responsibilities.
Many people who have a caring role often do not necessarily think of themselves as carers. Therefore, they may be unaware of the services and support that exists for them. They wish to extend their impact and make more of a positive difference to even more carers living locally.

If you’d like to speak to a member of their team or make a referral, please contact-

20 Thoresby College, Queen Street
King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE30 1HX

(01553) 768155
info@westnorfolkcarers.org.uk

Additional help and support for young carers can be found below:

Disability Energy Support (Scope)

SCOPE offer free energy and water advice to disabled people, helping them to manage their energy and water needs.

The service is open to:

any disabled person or households where 1 or more disabled people live, and those households are in England or Wales

We are experiencing high demand for telephone appointments. You can still get telephone appointments and new appointments are being released each week.

You can also get advice by email at Disability.EnergySupport@Scope.org.uk.

Support with your energy and water needs

Our expert advisers can help and talk you through a wide range of topics related to your energy and water needs, including:

managing energy and water debt

changing your meter

energy and water efficiency

accessing benefits, grants, and trusts

free fuel vouchers (conditions apply)

contacting or complaining to your supplier

understanding your gas and electricity bills

understanding how to use your heating systems

support registering with the Priority Services Register

Applying for energy support

Please be aware, there is currently a high demand for telephone appointments.

You can still book a telephone appointments and new appointments are released each week.

Apply for energy support

If you cannot wait for an appointment. You can contact us by email at Disability.EnergySupport@Scope.org.uk.

Appointments

You will get a telephone appointment with an energy adviser that will last up to 45 minutes. During this appointment you will get information and advice specific to your needs. Your adviser will arrange any follow up appointments, if needed.

To get the most out of your appointment, please try to give your adviser as much detail as possible. You should have pen and paper for taking notes and the following information easily available:

your most recent gas or electricity bill

an up to date meter reading, if possible

details of any missed payments or arrears

details of any payment plans agreed with your energy supplier

Personalised action plans

You will also get support through a personalised action plan, setting out steps for you to take to resolve the problem. This may include contacting other services for additional advice and support.”

https://www.scope.org.uk/disability-energy-support/

This website page (also from Scope) gives a useful overview of the general energy help available, much of which has been shared by us over the past few years.

Something which you may not have previously heard of is this news item:

Rebates when you use an oxygen concentrator

If you use an oxygen concentrator at home, you can get a rebate for the electricity it uses. The company that supplies your concentrator can make payments to your bank account.

Call the Electricity Rebates (BOC Home Oxygen Service) Patient Service Centre on freephone 0800 136 603.

Call the Electricity Refund (Air Liquide Healthcare) rebate team on freephone 0800 781 9939.

https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/government-payments-discounts-heating-bills/

Other Useful Websites

We know that whilst it can be very rewarding, it can also be very difficult being a Young Carer.

If you think you are a Young Carer, or need help and advice, please see Mrs Fisher to find out more about what we can do to help you. 

r.fisher@stclementshigh.org.uk