For many children and young people, caring for someone at home is simply part of everyday life – and they may not think of themselves as a carer at all. This can make young carers particularly difficult to identify and mean they miss out on support that could make a real difference.
As a result, young carers remain significantly under-identified in our schools. Kingston schools recorded 498 young carers in the 2026 School Census, yet we estimate that more than 2,000 young carers are living in the borough.
Our new toolkit aims to help close that gap. It brings together practical guidance on identifying and supporting young carers, the impact caring can have on attendance, attainment and wellbeing, schools’ responsibilities, and the local services and support available.
The toolkit is also particularly timely. From September 2026, young carers are explicitly referenced in updated Ofsted inspection requirements, Keeping Children Safe in Education and statutory school attendance guidance, reflecting growing recognition of young carers within the education system.
Does your school have a Young Carers Lead?
One of the practical steps we encourage schools to take is to appoint a Young Carers Lead or Champion to help coordinate support.
If your school doesn’t have a designated lead yet, there’s no need to worry. The toolkit is designed to help schools develop their approach from wherever they are starting. Responsibility may currently sit with someone in pastoral care, safeguarding, inclusion or another area, and we can support you in developing this further.
Whether your school already has established support for young carers or is just getting started, we hope the toolkit will be a useful, practical resource.
Download the Young Carers Education Professionals Toolkit
We’d also love to build stronger links with schools across Kingston and make sure useful support, resources and opportunities reach the right people.
Please take one minute to complete our short form to help us understand the best way to keep in touch with and support your school.
Have a question? You can contact our Young Carers in Schools Coordinator Lucia Lenaghan at lucia.lenaghan@kingstoncarers.org.uk.