There are an estimated 185,000 young people in schools acting as carers, which means probably 1 in every secondary class. The academic and societal achievements of these youngsters will be affected by carrying such a burden, yet few open up to schools about their situation.
Teaching staff will often be the first person a young person will tell, yet teachers are unaware of the implications on learning, the anxiety, stress and physically and mentally draining role the child is trying to cope with. Such burdens may result in many Young Carers not achieving their academic goals, could lead to an increase in truancy, negative behaviour or sleeping in class.