Young carers ‘Punished for Caring’ by England’s schools, Dorset charity warns
A Bournemouth-based charity has found young carers are more likely to get excluded from school than their peers
A Dorset-based charity has warned that young carers are being “punished for caring” by England’s education system.
It comes as new research reveals how children with caring responsibilities face higher suspension and exclusion rates than their non-caring peers.
MYTIME Young Carers, which supports thousands of children and teenagers who balance school with caring responsibilities at home, launched its ‘Punished for Caring’ report at the Houses of Parliament.
The report combines national data with testimony from young people to highlight the systemic barriers that drive many carers out of mainstream education.
It argues that stigma, lack of awareness among teachers and rigid disciplinary systems have created a “support gap” that leaves young carers disadvantaged compared with their peers.
Bournemouth East MP Tom Hayes, who used to be a young carer himself, said: “The latest report lays bare the current support gap, and why we need urgent access to ensure young carers are supported.
“It means the world to be able to support them, both as an MP and as someone who’s been in their shoes.”
MYTIME’s CEO, Krista Cartlidge, described the launch as “an incredibly moving moment,” but warned that this was only the beginning.
She told us: “This is the first report of its kind which means the challenge is still so overlooked. It’s vital we continue to speak up, do better, and build the evidence base needed for real change.”
Among the report’s recommendations are mandatory training in schools to identify and support young carers, appointing a Young Carer Champion in every educational setting, raising awareness to reduce stigma and adopting flexible learning provisions to help pupils whose caring duties may disrupt attendance or homework.
Krista Cartlidge added: “The evidence we’ve gathered shows that change is not only possible, it is already happening in schools that have chosen to act differently. The next step is to make this the rule, not the exception.”
For MYTIME Young Carers, the challenge now is to translate parliamentary recognition into lasting policy change and ensure no child is punished for the responsibilities they carry at home.