General Introduction

This policy supports the work of the school in promoting its mission statement, aims and values.

 

Mission statement

Like a lighthouse, St Michael’s is a beacon of safety and stability. It takes courage to learn and remember knowledge, develop new skills and allow your own light to shine in the world. We respect our differences and know that working peacefully together allows our lights to shine more brightly.

‘Let your light shine’  Matthew 5:16

 

School aims

At St Michael’s we value every member of our school community and our aims are for every child, whatever their background or circumstances, to have the support they need to:

 

• Develop their understanding of the value of leading a healthy lifestyle
• Work and play in a secure and safe environment in which they are encouraged to develop moral values and mutual respect
• Experience an exciting curriculum which fosters their enthusiasm, develops an enquiring mind and enables every child to achieve his/her full potential
• Access an education for life which promotes British Values that enable all learners to become effective and reliable members of the wider community
• Foster ambition and expectation to carry through to adult life

 

To achieve these aims all learners, staff, parents and governors will work together to promote our core values of peace, courage and respect.

 

School Commitment

The whole school is committed to meeting the needs of young carers so that they are enabled and encouraged to attend and enjoy school and have equal access to their education as their peers. 

A school lead (Angela Graham) has been assigned with responsibility for Young Carers and their families.  Pupils will be made aware of the identity of the school’s young carer lead and how to access support from them.

The school uses the Pupil Premium to minimise any barriers to education and learning experienced by eligible young carers to improve their wellbeing, attainment and attendance.

The school has an effective referral system and strong partnership in place with the local young carers service.

The school actively seeks feedback and ideas from young carers and their families in order to shape and improve provision for young carers.

The school understands the issues faced by young carers, what to look and listen for and how to respond.

Training on young carers’ issues is embedded in ongoing professional development for governors and all staff.

The school keeps up to date with national and local developments and with legislation and guidance affecting young carers and their families.

 

Young Carers know how to access support

Information about support available for young carers and how to access it is clearly available to both pupils and families.

The school uses the curriculum to promote a full understanding, acceptance of and respect for, issues such as caring, disability and impairment, for example, embedding the challenges faced by young carers into PSHE education lessons curriculum.

The school is accessible and welcoming to parents with disabilities and/or illness, offering additional support to enable them to attend parents’ evenings or other school events. Home visits are considered where appropriate.

The school offers additional support to remove any communication barriers with parents, so that parents are able to be fully engaged with the education of their child.

 

During the school enrolment process for new pupils, the school:

• Identifies parent(s) or family members who have disabilities or other long-term physical or mental health conditions.
• Identifies if the pupil has caring responsibilities and if this means this young carer has any additional needs that need to be supported.
• Establishes individual plans to recognise the child’s/young person’s specific needs as a young carer.
• Refers/signposts young carers and their families to other support agencies and professionals as appropriate.

 

Young carers are respected

A young carer’s privacy is respected and information about them or their caring role is not communicated in front of their peers.

A family’s privacy is respected and the school only shares information with professionals and agencies on a need to know basis in order to support pupils and their families.

 

Transition support is in place for young carers

The school offers support to the pupil and their family during the transition process, sharing agreed information with their new school lead for young carers and their families.

The school will identify young carers at risk of falling into the NEET category and take appropriate actions to address this.

 

The school will reduce barriers to education and learning

The school allows young carers to use a telephone to call home during breaks and lunchtimes so as to reduce any worry they may have about a family member.

Where appropriate, the school negotiates deadlines, for example, homework.

The school actively seeks feedback and ideas from young carers and their families in order to shape and improve provision for young carers.

The school will consider how best to support those parents who find it difficult to escort young children to school.

The school uses and evaluates data effectively to identify and monitor the progress made by young carers and reviews young carers individual plans accordingly.

 

The school meets the requirements of the Equality Act 2010