Almost one fifth of primary school pupils are carers
ALMOST a fifth of primary school children in West Berkshire are carers – and half of these are missing school as a result of their commitments.
That was the finding from a wide-ranging survey conducted by the Children’s Society on behalf of West Berkshire Council’s Health and Well-Being Board recently.
More than 2,000 school children were quizzed on their lifestyle by the organisation to provide a snapshot of the lives of the district’s pupils.
The results of the West Berkshire Children’s Life Satisfaction and subjective well-being survey were revealed at a meeting of the district’s health board in Newbury recently.
The conclusion presented to councillors and health bodies was that 19 per cent of primary school children said they were in some way acting as carers, and that only 50 per cent of these children never missed school because of their commitments.
Figures for secondary schools also showed that 13 per cent of children were acting as carers.
The survey took place during late 2014 and early 2015 and comprised results from nine schools and a total of 2,153 children responses.
Presenting the figures at the meeting, Jo Petty, from the Children’s Society, said of the numbers of primary school carers: “The figures were quite high, which you wouldn’t expect to see.”
Dr Bal Bahia agreed: “I am certainly surprised by the number of carers we have got and it’s something I think we need to look at.”
Jo Petty added that it was possible the figures were a “miscalculation”, given the wording of the question, and said: “Some children might have interpreted it as helping out at home.”
It was also revealed at the meeting that across the district those who recorded lower well-being than others were often the victim of bullying, or had a disability or a learning difficulty.
Children eligible for free school meals also reported a lower level of satisfaction than their better-off peers, but Jim David who co-presented the findings from the Children’s Society admitted at the meeting that this was a “crude” measurement.
Professor Sonia Blandford, chief executive of Newbury- based charity Achievement for All, said that the figures were “unsurprising”.
She said: “Walking or driving through Newbury it is not difficult to notice the number of people who are wheelchair users or vulnerable in other ways.
“Local authorities and charities have a shared responsibility to provide focused support to schools to meet the needs of children who are providing care for the vulnerable.
“Without it we create further education disadvantage for these children.”
West Berkshire Council spokesperson Martin Dunscombe dismissed the figures as “unreliable”.
He said: “The question was open to misinterpretation by the pupils completing the survey.
“It’s likely that the number of primary school age pupils classed as young carers in West Berkshire will be lower than the survey suggested.
“Young carers take on responsibilities that many of us will only have as adults and while it can be rewarding, we’re also aware of the impact this can have on their lives.
“In West Berkshire we recognise the importance of providing a range of support, much of which focuses on their well-being by giving them opportunities away from caring and tackling any sense of isolation they may feel.
“For example, we provide help getting help getting time out from caring, putting young carers in touch with others like them and making it easier for them to get out to clubs and leisure activities.”