Transition periods like moving up to secondary school, heading off to university or getting your first job come with new pressures and can be challenging to balance around caring roles. There is support available during these times and this page has all the information you need.
Primary to Secondary School
Watch Ruth, a young adult carer and a Media Ambassador from Carers Trust, talk about her experience moving from primary to secondary school.
If your school don’t know that you are a young carer, letting them know can help them support you as you move up to high school.
As outlined in the National Care Strategy:
Education authorities have duties to identify, provide for and review the additional support needs of all their pupils, and in particular young carers.
Speak with your school about your circumstances and they will be able to provide you support for moving to secondary school.
Further Education and Employment
Watch Abbie, a young adult carer and a Media Ambassador from Carers Trust, talk about what young carers can expect when applying to university.
As a young carer you may be eligible for a widening participation scholarship, grant, or bursary. Widening participation aims to support and encourage students whose personal circumstances put them at a disadvantage when pursuing higher education. Universities and colleges offer dedicated scholarships, grants, and bursaries as part of this. UCAS has information about what is available, who is eligible and how to apply.
When applying for further education, identifying yourself as a young carer on your UCAS application will help colleges and universities take your status as a young carer into account when they are considering the type of offer they make. This may mean they offer you minimum entry requirements rather than typical requirements and they may make you aware of other support available such as financial help. Find out more from LEAPS.
Moving onto further education can be an overwhelming time, Think Positive has information about student mental health. You can also visit Young Scot’s AyeFeel pages for information and support.
Abbie’s tips for moving onto employment:
Carer Positive is a Scottish Government funded initiative who work with employers across Scotland who want to develop support for staff with caring responsibilities. Employers can become Carer Positive and this is awarded to organisations who can demonstrate their workplace can support those with caring responsibilities. You can see the full list of organisations at Carer Positive.
If you are 16 or over and not in full time education, you may be eligible for carers allowance. Carers allowance can also be claimed while in employment, find out more here.
Becoming a Young Adult Carer
To help you prepare for this next step, the Young Carers Package has a package of support for 18 year olds who are transitioning out of the Young Carers Package. You have access to the package right up until your 19th birthday.
18 year olds signed up to the package can:
- Claim a £100 voucher to help with whatever the next phase of their life holds. You could use this for clothes for a job interview, help furnish a new home or put it towards some tech to help you at uni.
- Set up a savings account with ScotWest and get £50 credited into the account. You can then use this £50 to start your savings journey or withdraw to spend as you please.
Adult carers have a right to an adult carer support plan. If you previously had a young carer statement, the Carers Act requires a young carer statement, and any support that comes from it, to be maintained until an adult carer support plan is prepared. More information about an adult carer support plan can be found in the Carers Charter.
More information about what adult carers are entitled to can be found at Carers Scotland.
If you aren’t signed up to the Young Carers Package yet, sign up now to access the exclusive Rewards and Opportunities available to you.