PARLIAMENTARY DEBATE
Young Carers: School Absence - 4 November 2024 (Commons/Commons Chamber)
Debate Detail
Contributions from Bobby Dean, are highlighted with a yellow border.
Bobby Dean
Carshalton and Wallington
15:12:26
Janet Daby
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Education
The Government are committed to breaking down barriers to opportunities for all young people, including young carers who provide a critical role in caring for their loved ones. We now collect specific absence data for young carers through the school census, and our statutory attendance guidance seeks to ensure that they receive holistic support to overcome barriers to attendance.
15:12:59
Bobby Dean
One thing that might be driving absences from schools for young carers is long-term mental health conditions. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health says that as many as one in five young carers could be suffering from long-term mental health conditions. Can the Minister explain what measures the Department is taking to ensure that sufficient help is in place for people suffering from those conditions?
15:13:30
Janet Daby
We want to ensure that we support young carers in school, as well as other children who may be suffering from mental health conditions. This Government are entirely committed to supporting young people with mental health conditions, and we are making sure that there will be mental health support in every school up and down the country. For young carers who may be experiencing increasing mental health conditions, we are expanding the attendance mentoring programme to ensure that around an extra 10,800 young carers are supported, especially in the area of mental health.[Official Report, 21 November 2024; Vol. 757, c. 3WC.] (Correction)
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