Millthorpe School in York has become the first school in the city to win a prestigious award for its exceptional support of young carers’ education.
The school achieved the Young Carers in Schools award on 2 May 2025. Young carers are children under 18 who are responsible for the care of a family member, 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 charities 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.
Millthorpe School won the award by demonstrating how it supports young carers. This includes offering drop-in sessions with a dedicated member of staff responsible for this vulnerable group of pupils, closely monitoring attendance and academic engagement as well as looking at bespoke support based on the needs of their caring role to ensure the young carers can reach their full potential.
Kavina Rothenburg, Principal of Millthorpe School said: “We are incredibly proud to receive this prestigious award. It is a testament to the unwavering dedication of our fantastic pastoral team, and indeed the entire school community, who create a truly supportive environment where our young carers can thrive, both academically and personally, despite the challenges they face. This recognition truly celebrates their resilience and our commitment to ensuring every student reaches their full potential.”
Senior Leader and Designated Safeguarding Lead at Millthorpe, Sophie Cole, added “No student should be at a disadvantage because of their personal circumstances, so we do everything we can to identify young carers quickly and put the right support in place to help them be the best they can be. It’s lovely to have our work in this area recognised and to be the first school in York to receive this award makes it extra special!”
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.
Statutory guidance makes clear that all school staff should be particularly alert to the potential need for early help for young carers. The Young Carers in School programme is a way of helping schools address this.
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 Millthorpe School. 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 Millthorpe School 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 Millthorpe School 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.”
The Young Carers in School programme is open to all schools in England. To sign up, visit www.youngcarersinschools.com
11 June 2025
