Young Carers

Plume, Maldon’s Community Academy is committed in providing for young carers and their families.

The academy strives to address the requirements of students who are young carers, giving them the opportunity to completely enjoy their education as young people, raise their attendance, and aspire to realise their full potential.

The academy successfully engages with pertinent external agencies and has an efficient system for identifying and referring students. This system includes referring students to Young Carer agencies that provide information to important staff members who will work with young carers and their families. In order to support students and their families, the academy only shares information with professionals and organisations when it is necessary.

Along with our skilled pastoral colleagues, we have specific staff members who assist our young carers and their families. They are accessible to families and students who need assistance. The academy's main goal is to provide our young carers and their families the best opportunity of success in the future.

What is a young carer?

A Young Carer is someone under 18 years of age who is helping to look after someone at home. They may be looking after a parent, grandparent, sibling or other relative and the person they look after may have one or more of the following:

A physical or mental disability (including sensory disability).
A learning disability.
Mental health issues.
Chronic or terminal illness.
A substance misuse problem.

A young carer typically takes on further responsibilities, that are extra to those appropriate for their age and ability.

You may be a young carer if you do the any of the following:

Help with such as washing, toileting, dressing, feeding, help with mobility, administering medication and ensuring safety.

Domestic help such as cooking, cleaning, laundry, paying bills and childcare.
Translating or interpreting for someone at home.
Emotional support.
Supporting other members of their family.

We acknowledge that there will be young carers amongst our student population; their welfare is of paramount importance and they must be cared for and supported in the academy community.

The effects of being a young carer

Being a young carer takes up a lot of time and may result in having less time to spend with friends and do certain things that other young people are able to do. It can also result in the young person:

Having increased punctuality issues and absence.
Difficulties with concentration, anxiety or worry.
Tiredness.
A lack of time or environment for homework and revision.
Poor attainment and progress.
A lack of time for extra-curricular activities.
A lack of financial support for academy trips and other events.
Feeling alone, unwanted or cared for.

It is important to remember that the academy has processes to support our young carers. The young carers aware that they have a safe place to go to where support is given, that encourages them to achieve their potential.

How can the young carer key workers help?

Key workers offer free personalised support to young carers and their families that will be developed with the young carer around their need for help and the caring they do.

The service offers:

Confidential one-to-one support with a dedicated key worker in the area you live, including telephone support.

Information, advice, guidance, and assisting you to access other services to support you as a young carer.
Training opportunities e.g. moving people safely, building confidence and self-esteem, fire safety and access to counselling services if needed.
Recreational activities to take you away from your caring role, meet other young carers, and make new friends.
Transition to adult carer services as you come up to 18.

Where can you access the Essex Young Carers Service?

Key workers are available across the whole of Essex, so will be accessible in your local area. They can visit young carers and their families at home, school or somewhere else at an agreed time.

They are:

Mrs J Frost - PPG Coordinator and Young Carer Operational Lead.

Mr S Meadows - Assistant Vice Principal and Young Carer SLT Lead.

There is also a young carers working group, which consists of Mrs Frost, Mr Meadows and the Assistant Heads of Year. This group meets formally and informally with the sole purpose the young carers in our academy. The group shares information and makes decisions on the best way to support the students.

Website links

Maldon Community Coronavirus Response - 01621 851997 The helpline remains open between 10am-2pm Mon-Fri for anyone to contact for help with food supplies, medicines or accessing services. The response team is able to provide food parcels for people who cannot get out to shop whether this be due to shielding or as a result of a positive test or a requirement to self-isolate. Up to 2 weeks’ food can be provided as required. Essential Living Fund Please find attached a flyer about emergency support available from the Essential Living Fund (ELF) to people hit by the pandemic. The ELF is receiving extra funding from the Covid Winter Grant Scheme to help people living in Essex with energy and water bills, food and other essential household items. Essential Livining Fund - Leaflet Mental Health support for adults https://www.northessexiapt.nhs.uk/ Mental Health Support for Children and Young People Mental Health Support Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Service The Emotional Wellbeing and Mental Health Service (EWMHS) provides advice and support to children, young people and families who are in need of support with their emotional wellbeing or mental health difficulties. https://www.nelft.nhs.uk/services-ewmhs/ Anna Freud Gives advice and guidance for Parents and carers to help them support a child or young person experiencing mental ill health or wellbeing. https://www.annafreud.org/parents-and-carers/ https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/ https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/ https://www.mind.org.uk/ https://www.livewellcampaign.co.uk/livewell-articles/mental-health-support-for-young-people/ https://www.themix.org.uk/ Apps Kooth - online mental wellbeing community Shout MeeTwo - Helps you talk about difficult things Chat health - talk to school nurse Young people can contact Chat Health on 07520 615732. Eating Disorders https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/ Beat Peer Support Leaflet Bullying https://www.bullying.co.uk/ LGBT https://www.plume.essex.sch.uk/inclusion https://mermaidsuk.org.uk/young-people/ https://www.youngstonewall.org.uk/ Family Wellbeing and Support for families https://www.essexfamilywellbeing.co.uk/ https://www.familylives.org.uk/ Support for single parents https://www.gingerbread.org.uk/ Other useful websites Online safety https://www.saferinternet.org.uk/ https://www.thinkuknow.co.uk/ https://www.ceop.police.uk/Safety-Centre/ Breck Foundation Charity - Online safety advice for parents The Two Johns Internet safety advice https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/information/young-people/east Whatever you're going through, we encourage you to make positive choices. Children Society do work around healthy relationships, they can help increase your confidence, develop life skills and build your emotional resilience. If you would like to know more about them or you are concerned about a child or young adult in Essex, you can email or call them on 01245 493311. Domestic abuse Next Chapter - Domestic Violence Support In addition to supporting parents and children under 14 year of age, The Next Chapter now have a team of Young Persons Violence Advisors (YPVA) dedicated to Young People aged 14 -19, who are a victim domestic abuse or are living within a family affected by domestic abuse. Referrals can be made by agencies working with the young person or the young person can self-refer. The Next Chapter - Leaflet https://www.thenextchapter.org.uk/ Compass is the single point of access helpline to support victims of domestic abuse across Essex. https://www.essexcompass.org.uk/ Train and Track safety Educating children how to be safe on the railways. http://www.youvstrain.co.uk/
Activities

eSafety Training 'The 2 Johns' Chelmsford Wellbeing Group Youth Service - Holiday Acativites and Food Community Storage Flyer Plume Academy Safeguarding Team is pleased to advise that the Children Society are offering online sessions and activities. These range from self-care, online safety, building relationships, and drug and alcohol awareness to quizzes, dance parties and fun activities to do at home. Details of how to book these sessions can be found by clicking the link below. These sessions do change so contact the Children Society to find out the latest available sessions. All the links include activities that can benefit our children and Young People. First Aid for Children https://firstaidchampions.redcross.org.uk/?fbclid=IwAR2g4Tp-6XqdLd_Zb6Htm9M6dIzj4fXnmDI-lgsMV3A8j5IY_7YVSKKQJao Child Safety Childnet https://www.childnet.com/resources/online-safety-activities-you-can-do-from-home Essex Activities half term Essex Youth A number of fun and exciting online activities for young people aged 13-19 years https://youth.essex.gov.uk/young-people/online-activities/?fbclid=IwAR0_jMsEt1-vQypz5lGJW4N-7_SfjUYGI6kHUKeExfvsb-iuhu30TWciP0E Grow your own gardening course in Maldon District Self Care Activities Self care is about the things we can do to look after our own mental health. Strategies are being shared to help young people with their own mental well being https://www.annafreud.org/on-my-mind/self-care/ Childline Support for parents and young people and online tools and activities https://www.childline.org.uk/toolbox/mood-journal/ Interactive Free Courses for Parents and Carers. These courses cover anxiety, building resilience mindfulness and emotional wellbeing to list a few. https://aclessex.com/community-family-learning-online/
Parents and Carers

Prevent Guide to protecting children from online hate, extremism and fake news
Recent Communication

E-Safety and Online Support letter
Safeguarding documents

E-safety Keeping Children Safe in Education 2022 Anti-Bullying Policy 2021 Child Protection 2021 Behaviour Policy Relationships and Sexual Health Relationships Young People Rights On Social Media Mental health/Emotional well-being Sexual exploitation/Drugs/Gangs and County Lines Child protection policy COVID-19 addendum E-safety Letter Online Safety Resources Online Safety Advice Online Safety Tips Parents and carers to keep children safe online Harmful Sexual Behaviour / Peer on Peer Abuse Policy

More Information

Newsletter with Young Carer Information

Young Carers Policy

How can you access the service?

Families or young carers themselves can self-refer, or professionals can make a referral on their behalf. At Plume Academy, you have two designated leads for Young Carers.

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Young Carers in Schools Award

Plume Academy wins award for young carer support

Plume Academy has been given a Silver award for our work to make sure students don’t miss out on an education because they are young carers.

The Young Carers in Schools programme helps primary and secondary schools improve outcomes for young carers and celebrates good practice through the Young Carers in Schools Award.

Young carers are responsible for emotional, practical or physical care for a parent, sibling or other family member who have a physical disability, mental health issue or substance misuse issue.

The Carers Trust and The Childrens Society in a joint statement said, “to achieve a Silver Award Plume Academy has demonstrated that it supports young carers in many ways, including awareness raising with pupils and staff, and by building links within the local community. Young carers are consulted with, and vital information is made available to pupils and families, letting them know where to go for help.”

Young Carers

Plume, Maldon’s Community Academy is committed in providing for young carers and their families.

The academy strives to address the requirements of students who are young carers, giving them the opportunity to completely enjoy their education as young people, raise their attendance, and aspire to realise their full potential.

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Young Carers

Plume, Maldon’s Community Academy is committed in providing for young carers and their families.

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The academy strives to address the requirements of students who are young carers, giving them the opportunity to completely enjoy their education as young people, raise their attendance, and aspire to realise their full potential.