Do you have a young carers champion in your school?
School census data released in June 2026 showed that 56% of all schools in England reported to having zero young carers, yet there are thought to be an estimated one million young carers across the country equating to 3 per classroom!
As a result of this, Vicki Slade MP began a campaign to appoint a Young Carers Champion in every school in England!
As an organisation we are proud to have almost 250 known Young Carer Champions across our service areas but we join the call for each school to have a named champion.
After completing our free Young Carers Awareness Training, these key individuals act as a main contact for our Support Coordinators as well as someone who students can talk to about any changes to their caring responsibilities or ask questions relating to the possibility of young carer support with us at Imago.
This relationship has been critical not only in identifying young carers early but seeing improvements to their attendance, attainment and mental wellbeing in school. Our well attended termly online meetings provide useful updates and are a space to share good practice, ideas on topics and activities for in-school support groups and ask advice.
Working with Imago has brought significant benefits to our school community. We are proud to have an established in-school group that gives young carers a safe space to share experiences and support one another.
We have developed a strong and positive relationship with our Support Coordinator, who regularly joins our sessions and delivers awareness assemblies across the school.
We are incredibly grateful for the partnership and look forward to continuing to build on the progress we have already made to ensure our young carers feel recognised, valued and supported.
Park Way Primary, Bexley