School communities reflect society and so here at Kesgrave High School our community includes people from a range of backgrounds, with varied experiences and a huge variety of responsibilities. One group of students for whom their home situation may influence their experience within the School and all it has to offer, are young carers.

A young carer is a student who helps to look after a family member; this may involve physical or emotional care, or taking responsibility for someone’s safety or well-being. However the level of responsibility assumed by a young carer is often inappropriate to their age at a level beyond simply helping out with jobs at home, which is a normal part of growing up; as such it may impact on the education of the young person.

In September 2015 KHS signed up to the Suffolk Young Carers Schools Award and we have been working very closely with the service to help identify Young Carers in our school and raise awareness of the great work all Young Carers do for their families. We’ve been raising awareness of Young Carers in assemblies, staff training and larger National events such as National Young Carers Day. We were awarded our Bronze award on National Young Carers Day in January 2016 and currently well on our way to receiving our Silver.

Suffolk Young Carers staff have a close working relationship with schools across Suffolk. The Support Worker linked to KHS is Kieron Whall who can come into the school to support Suffolk Young Carers, alternatively students can contact either Mrs Dring or Mrs Rush who are the Suffolk Young Carer leads in school, you will find them in the Head of Year Office. Alternatively they can be contacted via email Mrs K Dring or Mrs T Rush

Click here for YOUNG CARERS WEBSITE