2 October 2025
Supporting Young Carers in Our School Community
Dear Parents and Carers,
We hope this message finds you well.
At Erdington Academy, we are committed to supporting the wellbeing and development of all our students. As part of this commitment, we want to raise awareness about young carers—children and young people who provide care, assistance, or support to a family member who may be living with a disability, long-term illness, mental health condition, or substance misuse issue.
Young carers often take on responsibilities beyond their years, which can impact their education, social life, and emotional wellbeing. These responsibilities might include helping with personal care, managing household tasks, or providing emotional support.
It’s important to recognise that being a young carer is not a sign of weakness or something to be ashamed of. In fact, many young carers develop incredible qualities such as empathy, resilience, maturity, and a strong sense of responsibility. These are strengths that can serve them well throughout life.
However, young carers may also face unique challenges, and we want to ensure they are supported so that their education and wellbeing are not compromised. Identifying young carers allows us to offer appropriate help, whether that’s emotional support, academic adjustments, or simply someone to talk to.
We understand that some families may not realise their child is considered a young carer, and we want to ensure that every student who needs support receives it. If you believe your child may be a young carer, or if you’re unsure and would like to discuss it further, please don’t hesitate to contact our Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) – Mr.Halstead – j.halstead@erdington.fmat.co.uk or Deputy DSL – Mrs.Benain – g.benain@erdington.fmat.co.uk. All conversations will be handled sensitively and confidentially.
By identifying and supporting young carers, we can work together to ensure they have access to the help they need—both in and out of school.
Thank you for your continued support.
Mr.Halstead
Designated Safeguarding Lead
