Heacham Junior School receives Young Carer Friendly Tick in Education

A West Norfolk school has been presented with a prestigious award after being recognised for its role in supporting young carers.

Heacham Junior School has received a Young Carer Friendly Tick in Education which highlights its commitment to working with the students who also have a caring role outside of school.

Emma Hunt, deputy head teacher, said she is “thrilled” to have received the award.

“We applied for it with the ambition of supporting staff in identifying young carers within our organisation, equipping them with the tools to signpost them to the best possible support, to prevent isolation and promote equal opportunities for all,” she said.

“This work has meant that staff are well trained and young carers in our school have benefitted from opportunities to interact with other pupils who are going through similar experiences.”

The process lasted around a year and part of the work included preparing a carer’s statement to outline how young carers are supported at the school.

Staff and pupils completed awareness training, delivered by Belinda Jones from Caring Together, to help identify and understand the impacts of being a young carer.

“Our junior leadership team also created a display in our school foyer to showcase information about carers and identify any support available locally,” added Mrs Hunt.

The school joins others from the West Norfolk Academies Trust in being able to display the logo.

Members of the school’s junior leadership team were a driving force behind ensuring the status was achieved.

The members are all in Year 6 and are given additional responsibilities. They meet regularly to discuss a range of priorities from uniform to school dinners.

The Caring Together charity instigated the tick award within education via a Norfolk project working with young carers, and the success has seen it rolled out across the county.