As part of the South Tees Carers Week campaign, we are celebrating important progress in the identification and support of young carers in schools across Middlesbrough and Redcar & Cleveland.
Identifying Young Carers in Schools
State-funded schools in England are required to submit key information about their pupils including background, attainment, and educational history to the national School Census. This data helps shape decisions around educational funding, policy, and school improvement. Thanks to a successful campaign led by Carers Trust, from January 2023 schools have been encouraged to identify and record pupils with caring responsibilities as part of this census.
The Local Landscape
The latest 2025 School Census data reveals that 93 primary school pupils and 255 secondary school pupils across the South Tees area have been identified as young carers—a total of 348 children and young people currently recognised within the school system.
While this figure is still significantly lower than the estimated 2,500 young carers living in South Tees, it marks a positive shift. Since the last data collection in 2024, an additional 50 young carers have been identified. This increase reflects growing awareness and commitment among schools to spot and support young carers at an earlier stage in their lives.
Locally, The Junction works closely with schools to embed greater understanding, recognition, and practical support for young carers, ensuring both staff and students are equipped to help these pupils balance their responsibilities and succeed in education.
Katie Brooks, young carers service coordinator at The Junction, says:
"The Junction are working collaboratively with schools to identify and support young carers within their schools. Including raising awareness assemblies, staff training and identifying champions to ensure young carers are not forgotten."
The Junction currently supports 455 young carers in Middlesbrough and 350 in Redcar & Cleveland. To find out more please contact The Junction.
Carers Week: Schools Pledge
As part of this year’s Carers Week, we urge more schools to get involved in the South Tees campaign by taking the Schools Pledge, deepen their knowledge of young carers’ needs, and take action to ensure every young carer is seen, supported, and given the opportunity to thrive.
Northern Education Trust Badger Hill Primary Academy has backed the campaign.
Sally Brook, Principal, Northern Education Trust Badger Hill Primary Academy, explains why:
At Northern Education Trust Badger Hill Primary Academy, we promote a love of learning to enable our children to achieve their very best potential as well as ensuring they feel safe and cared for. We strive to help our children overcome barriers to their learning, which is why supporting our young carers and raising awareness with all our students and families is a priority. By recognising the responsibilities our young carers have, we are able to offer them the right support to enable them to flourish in the classroom and beyond. The Junction Foundation offers fantastic support to ensure our young carers thrive.
They’ve made a clear commitment to recognise and support young carers in their school, now its your turn!
Find out more and sign the pledge at:
https://wecareyoucare.info/carers-week-pledge-2025
Find out more about The Junction's work with South Tees schools at:
https://wecareyoucare.info/articles/young-carers-champion-initiative-for-schools
