Leigh Academy Longfield achieves prestigious award for supporting students who are young carers.
The academy was presented with the Young Carers in Schools award on 23/3/26. Young carers are children under 18 who are responsible for the care of a family member with who, due to illness, disability, mental health condition or addiction, can’t cope without their support.
The award is part of the Young Carers in School programme run by The Children’s Society and Carers Trust. The programme provides primary and secondary schools across England with step-by-step guidance for teachers, leaders and non-teaching staff to gain the practical tools they need to help young carers. Leigh Academy Longfield achieved the award by demonstrating how it supports young carers.
Research by Carers Trust shows 40% of young carers say they don’t get enough support to balance education and caring. Separate research by The Children’s Society shows young carers get an average of one grade lower in GCSE subjects than their peers and they often also have lower levels of self-confidence and mental wellbeing.
Vicky Morgan, Carers Trust’s Head of Young Carers at Young Adult Carers, said:
“We’re delighted to present the Young Carers in Schools award to Leigh Academy Longfield. Figures show there are two young carers in every classroom but balancing learning with looking after family members can be tough without help.
By identifying young carers and putting support in place, schools and teachers can make a huge difference to their wellbeing and education. That’s why the brilliant work done by staff at Leigh Academy Longfield is so vital and why this award is so richly deserved.”
Lisa Witherden, Head of National Programmes at The Children’s Society said:
“Recent figures from the school census highlight that nearly 80% of schools reported they had zero young carers in their pupil population. We know this simply isn’t true and that young carers are a hidden group of children and young people who need support to achieve the same level of success as their peers at school.
We’re absolutely thrilled that Leigh Academy Longfield has achieved the Young Carers in Schools award, demonstrating their commitment to identifying these hidden children and young people and ensuring they get the vital support they need to thrive in education and in life beyond school.”
About Carers Trust
Carers Trust is the UK charity working to transform the lives of unpaid carers across the UK. It partners with its network of local carer organisations to provide funding and support, deliver innovative and evidence-based programmes and raise awareness & influence policy. Last year it reached over one million unpaid family carers:
About The Children’s Society
The Children’s Society fights for the hope and happiness of young people when it’s threatened by abuse, exploitation and neglect. We see the hope and courage in young people every day, and it inspires us to support them through their most serious life challenges.
