Training for school nurses to become young carers 'champions'

A new approach to supporting young carers has been announced by the Department of Health and Public Health England which will see school nurses receive training and become young carer champions.

School nurses will be trained to understand the pressures young carers face and make sure they get physical and mental support when they need it.

Carer’s charity Carers Trust has been working with the Department of Health and The Children’s Society to train school nurses in being champions for young carers, and has welcomed the announcement of the Government’s new plans.

Daniel Phelps, Carers Trust development manager for young carers and young adult carers, said: “Specially trained school nurses can play a key role in identifying young carers, protecting their health and wellbeing and ensuring that they are linked into other services they need. We are really pleased to have been involved in this training and to be working with the Department of Health in linking up champion nurses with local services for young carers.”

As part of the new plans, revealed to improve life for the 166,000 young carers throughout the UK, young carers will create a crisis plan so they know what to do if the person they are providing care for needs emergency care. The crisis plan will also be in place to ensure young carers know what they can do to get help if they feel they are not coping.

School nurses will now also have a responsibility to ensure young carers are registered with a GP, dentist and optician.