Who Cares? Young Adult Carers and Access to Education and Training

[Background] [Aims] [Audience] [Programme] [Event Information] [Application Conditions]

Background

“Education providers need to realise how many carers there are out there and that every single one of them will need help and support in some way, shape or form.” Jon - Young Adult Carer

“Once I made my school, college and university aware of my caring role they were supportive…I could talk to them any time.” Laura – Young Adult Carer

Enabling carers to fulfill their educational and employment potential and ensuring that caring responsibilities of young people do not hinder their achievement in education and employment, are key priorities in the Department of Health Carers Strategy Refresh (2010-2018). 

16-25 is the pivotal period during which most young adults make the transition to adulthood, and the choices, opportunities, responsibilities and rewards that this brings. However, for young adult carers16-25, the transition experience is often very different.  As a result of their caring responsibilities, many young adult carers do not make linear transitions, are not afforded the opportunities taken for granted by their peers, and can therefore become isolated and disaffected.

NIACE has led work on access to further education and training for carers for over ten years.  More recently this work has focused on young adult carers 16-25 and their experiences of education and training.  As part of a recent Department of Health funded “Who Cares?” project, young adult carers have been telling NIACE about their experiences of learning and the support they receive from wider services when making the transition to adulthood.  Young adult carers’ stories informed the content of a series of training sessions and a suite of resources that promote partnership working and raise awareness of what colleges need to do to better support young adult carers. At an end of project conference, delegates urged NIACE with The Princess Royal Trust for Carers (now Carers Trust) and Dame Philippa Russell, Chair of the Government’s Standing Committee on Carers, to take forward this work and focus on influencing and informing policy.

NIACE is delighted to be working with Carers Trust to jointly run this policy seminar.  Both organisations are committed to working with policy shapers and makers to improve access to and achievement in education and training, leading to sustainable employment for young adult carers 16-25.  As the Co-operative Charity of the Year for 2013, Carers Trust will be working in partnership with the Co-operative to improve the lives of young adult carers in the UK.

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Aims

The purpose of this NIACE policy seminar run in partnership with Carers Trust, is to take forward the work of the “Who Cares?” project.    This seminar is bringing together key strategic partners in Government, the learning and skills sector and carers organisations to focus on how policy can support young adult carers16-25 to access and achieve in education and training at what is a key transition point in their lives.  

The seminar will provide an opportunity to:

• listen to young adult carers talk about their experiences of education and training;  
• discuss current policy and what needs to change so it can effectively support young adult carers to engage, progress, and achieve in education and training that leads to sustainable employment.

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Audience

Invited guests only

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Programme 

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Event Information

• Arrival, registration and security checks is at 8:45pm for a 9:45am start. There will be no admittance after 9:30am. The event will end with lunch at 12:45pm
• Places will be allocated in order of receipt of completed RSVPs (one online RSVP per person)
• Video cameras may be in use at this event. If you do not wish to be photographed or appear on the video outputs please indicate this on the application form and make yourself known at registration
• Participants should be prepared to take their own notes as there will not be handouts for all sessions
• If you have not received an e-mail confirming your attendance and joining instructions 4 working days before the event please contact: events@niace.org.uk

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Application Conditions

• Event date: Thursday 24 January 2013
• Closing date: Thursday 20 December 2012
• A 15 working days notice period is required for provision of electronic note-takers, sign language interpreters and transcription to Braille
• RSVPs are to be returned online – scroll up and click on Apply Now
• Reservations by telephone cannot be accepted
• Application forms are individually acknowledged by e-mail. Joining instructions, including map and directions, will be e-mailed out one week before the event
• NIACE reserves the right to reject applicants who are not from the list of invitees. 

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