CHILDREN IN CARE AT MANGOTSFIELD SCHOOL
At Mangotsfield School we believe that all Children in Care, and those previously in care, should be given every opportunity to achieve at a similar level to their peers. As a whole school, we commit to supporting these young people and taking a proactive, hands on approach to nurturing their success. We recognise that we have a vital role to play in promoting their educational achievement and social and emotional development.
As a school, will endeavour to:
- Support our young people in raising their aspirations
- Help our young people to feel in control of their own journeys
- Provide continuity, stability and a sense of belonging for each young person
For many children in care, we appreciate that school life can be challenging. We hope to help each young person to navigate this challenge successfully and to fulfil their individual potential.
YOUNG CARERS AT MANGOTSFIELD SCHOOL
In line with our whole school vision, in 2019 Mangotsfield School achieved a Bronze award for the work we have done to ensure that students don’t miss out on an education because they are young carers.
The Young Carers in Schools programme helps schools to improve outcomes for young carers and celebrates good practice through the Young Carers in Schools Award.
Young carers are responsible for emotional, practical or physical care for a parent, sibling or other family member who has a physical disability, mental health issue or substance misuse issue. Statistics reveal that there are just over 166,000 young carers in England, but research suggests that this is just the tip of the iceberg. The true figure could be closer to 700,000 young carers in England, equivalent to one in 12 school children many of whom are unrecognised and unsupported.
We continue to work incredibly hard in school to identify our young carers and to ensure that they have access to any support that they might need.
In order to achieve our Bronze Award, we have demonstrated that we support our young carers in many ways, including homework support opportunities and drop-in sessions with the young carers advocate in school, Mrs Willetts. Vital information about how to identify potential young carers is made available to all staff and notice boards around school let students know where they can go for help.
Giles Meyer, Chief Executive of Carers Trust, congratulated Award-winning schools, saying: “The Young Carers in Schools programme is helping to transform schools and support staff across England. Schools play a vital role in a young carer’s life, as many care for relatives without their teachers even knowing what they do. On average young carers will miss a day of school each month as a result of their caring role, so the steps schools take to identify and support them can have a huge impact on their learning, wellbeing and life chances.”
If you would like to discuss support for young carers at Mangotsfield or if you feel as though someone you know might be a young carer, please contact Mr John - gareth.john@cset.co.uk
Link to the carers support centre at the Vassals Centre
https://www.carerssupportcentre.org.uk/help-and-advice/
Link to the Carers Trust national page