An academy trust is celebrating after its first school was officially recognised for its efforts to support young carers.
in Nottingham has achieved the Young Carers Quality Standard in Carer Support Accreditation, awarded by the .
It is the first of 10 schools in the to receive the accolade. The trust is the first multi-academcy trust in the country to apply for trust-wide accreditation from the federation.
The award acknowledges Bluecoat’s structured approach to identifying and assisting pupils who take on caring responsibilities at home.
In order to be accredited, Bluecoat Primary had to develop a comprehensive Young Carers Development Plan, ensuring that key criteria were met. This included appointing a designated Young Carers Champion, providing staff training to raise awareness, establishing robust referral systems, and strengthening partnerships with external organisations.
Over a period of seven months, Bluecoat Primary gathered extensive evidence of its efforts before presenting its case to the Carers Federation.
Plans are in place at each of the 10 schools in the Archway Learning Trust to gain accreditation this year, to support those moving from primary to secondary school.
Within Bluecoat Primary Academy there are 19 children who have been identified as young carers.
Kathryn Brown, designated safeguarding lead and young carers鈥 champion at Bluecoat, said: 鈥淲e are incredibly proud to have received this accreditation, but for us, this is just the beginning. We recognise the immense challenges that young carers face, and we are committed to ensuring they feel seen, supported, and valued. Our goal is to create a nurturing environment where these children can thrive both academically and personally.鈥
, CEO of Archway Learning Trust, praised the school鈥檚 dedication: 鈥淏luecoat Primary Academy has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to its young carers, and this accreditation is a testament to the incredible work being done. We firmly believe that no child should face these challenges alone, and this initiative ensures that our young carers receive the understanding and support they deserve.鈥
The 2021 ONS census reported that there are around 120,000 young carers aged 5 to18 in England, while the school census in 2023 suggested that there were 39,000 “known” young carers in the country, according to the.
Young Carers Awareness Day takes place on March 12..
