Young carers meet at the Houses of Parliament
We were so proud to have been invited to visit the Houses of Parliament this Young Carers Action Day on 11th March
Two of our young carers from Canterbury, Cecilia and Alyssa were accompanied by Support Coordinator, Tina to meet MPs and decision makers to highlight the need for ‘Fair Futures for Young Carers’ the theme with a focus of ensuring all young carers achieve their full potential in education, training and employment.
Together with Carers Trust and other young carers from across the country, they shared the impact that caring responsibilities is having on many young carers education with an average of 23 schools days being missed each year often due to the demands of their caring role. During the day, shocking statistics were shared including:
- Young carers are 25% less likely than their peers without caring responsibilities to reach that key milestone
- Fewer than half (49%) leave primary school meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and Maths
- Just 51% of young carers finish school with passes in English and Maths GCSE, compared with 65% of pupils who don’t have a caring role
Cecilia and Alyssa spoke with Sir Ed Davey and posed some amazing suggestions to him such as; having the subject of young carers part of PHSE lessons in schools and for young carers to be eligible for Pupil Premium.
The day was positive and hopeful with both girls stating “it was such an amazing opportunity and we’re so grateful for you taking us”
You can learn more about the work we are doing to support young carers in Kent, East Sussex and London here: