To ask the Minister of Education to outline (i) what actions he and his Department are taking to identify and provide support for young carers who attend school; and (ii) how is he ensuring every school sector is providing equitable access for young carers to meet his objectives.

Departmental officials work closely on an ongoing basis with Action for Children and Barnardo’s Northern Ireland, both of which provide support for young carers throughout Northern Ireland, in order to help raise awareness and facilitate a better understanding within schools around the role of young carers, the challenges they face, and the support available.

The Department and the Education Authority’s (EA) Education Welfare Service (EWS) supported Action for Children and Barnardo’s Northern Ireland with the launch of a Young Carers in Education Digital Awareness Pack. The pack, which was circulated to all schools in 2024, included:

a letter from the Permanent Secretary to all education settings;

a digital poster designed by Young Carers;

EA and Health and Social Care Board (HSC) Guidance - Supporting Young Carers in School; and

Young Carers’ Education Research by Action for Children.

In August 2025, the Department will be supporting the launch of Action for Children’s Young Carers’ video, “Teach the Teachers”, which is designed to help raise awareness of the role of young carers among teachers. It shows how to identify young carers in their classroom and what support they can offer to a Young Carer. The EA has agreed to share this video at School Principal events, with the intention that it will be shared further and throughout schools in Northern Ireland.

The EA is introducing a new specialist post to support Young Carers regionally. The postholder, who is expected to be appointed in July 2025, will aim to ensure consistency of approach and positive outcomes for Young Carers in our educational settings.