Title: 'Under the radar' young carers denied support, says study
Source: BBC News
Author: Judith Burns
Date: December 26, 2016
Audience: Educators and Parents
Key Points: The article pertains to the discrimination to the growing number of young "carers" in England. Secondary school aged children are stepping in to help care for their ailing parents, by either being the respite provider for their other ("healthy" parent) or for other siblings. These young carers are going under the radar; not recieving help. 28,00 out of the estimated 166,000 are getting local relief.
Relevance: This article brought to mind many relating factors. Even though I do not work with secondary students, I believe that this article is important for both secondary and elementary educators. It is quite possible that we are teaching a student who might be going through a similar situation at home. It guides us back to the resounding factor of knowing our students. In the article, the son was getting some respite at the after school program, but he was not getting full license to "be a child." It is a support group that allows him to be with peers that understand him and relate to him. As an educator, we have access to resources/information to help families and students that need this assistance.
I can't help but also think about students who babysit their siblings, or in some cases, parent their siblings because their isn't a responsible parent at home. Even though the article says that the son and father have a close bond, it's a lot of pressure to put on a young child/adult to care for an ailing parent.
Even though the son was receiving respite at an after school program, it is quite possible that he feels school itself is respite. That's were educators come in-creating an environment where students feel safe, wanted, and cared for. A place and person with which to express their concerns and struggles. We can offer extensions and accommodations for students in these conditions.
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