About Young Carers

Young carers are children and young people up to 25 years of age who help care in families where someone has an illness, a disability, a mental health issue or who has an alcohol or other drug problem.

On average, there will be two or three young carers in each classroom throughout Australia.

As a teacher it is important to be aware of young carers in your classroom and to ensure that all young people of compulsory school age are engaged in learning in a safe environment.

School can be a struggle for young carers due to their caring responsibilities.  Teachers can help assist young carers by working collaboratively with support services to ensure a positive educational environment.

Many young carers find their relationship with their teacher becomes strained and increasingly difficult as they struggle to maintain regular, punctual attendance and to keep up with their schoolwork.

As a teacher you are in a unique position to trust and authority to be able to identify young people who have a caring role, and to assist them to access services.

A support school environment, which acknowledges a young person's caring role, can make all the difference in helping them be at school, stay at school and succeed at school.

• How you can identify a young carer
• Where you can go for assistance
• What else you can do to support young carers
• Some more young carer information

For support and help call 1800 242 636