17.04.13
School nurses to be trained by young carers
The role of school nurses is to be expanded and improved, health minister Dr Dan Poulter has announced. The project will see nurses trained to better support those children with disabilities and complex emotional needs and to ensure their skills are constantly improved and updated.
300 young carers will provide training for school nurses themselves on what support to provide. Caring responsibilities can often be the hidden cause of health problems, bullying, truancy and poor performance at school. School nurses and their teams will be equipped to provide better care for these children.
Poulter said: “School nurses play a crucial role in improving health and supporting young people. I want them to have an even bigger role and provide even better support for more young people with different health needs and conditions.
“Young carers are often under incredible pressure both at home and at school. School nurses can do a lot to give young carers a voice and help ease that pressure. Our plans will help them do just that.”
Dr Moira Fraser, director of policy and research at the Carers Trust said: “Over 60% of young carers are bullied in schools while nearly 30% miss school or experience educational difficulties – often due to their caring responsibilities. Many don’t feel able to tell staff members at their school that they are a young carer. These are worrying numbers and so we are heartened at the government’s plans to strengthen the role of school nurses in supporting young carers.
“School nurses are ideally positioned to play a pivotal role in the lives of young people. They are well placed to identify young carers earlier and implement preventative support while reducing the negative impact on the health and wellbeing of young carers by initiating support for the whole family.”
Children’s minister Edward Timpson said: “Young carers have told us time and time again that they want their teachers and schools to be more ‘carer aware’, which is why we are determined to ensure that they are provided with the best support possible.
“Today’s announcement will mean that young carers across the country are being given a voice to help shape their own services – truly empowering these dedicated children and young people whose daily lives are dramatically affected by caring for family members.”
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