Young Carers have their voice heard at ASCL Pastoral Conference

Representatives from Caring Together Warwickshire and Carers Trust Heart of England were delighted to join Carers Trust national in participating in this year's ASCL pastoral conference in Birmingham.

The ASCL (Association of School and College Leaders) “is the leading professional association and trade union for all school, college and trust leaders.” With the aim and vision of all young people receiving high quality education, the ASCL support and represent more than 25,000 of its members, all leaders of primary, secondary, and post-16 education from across the UK. 

The Pastoral Conference was a chance for leaders, members and guests to exchange ideas, stories, and information, to strengthen systems and processes, and enable improvements to the education system. The aim of the conference is to promote and adopt a proactive rather than reactive response to competing educational demands.

Andy McGowan from Carers Trust national, instigated Carers Trust's presence at the conference, securing a dedicated time slot for the voices of young and young adult carers to be heard. and to shed light on the barriers that carers face in the education system.

Caleb, a young adult carer spoke from his personal experience and gave an impassioned speech to all members in attendance. He highlighted the disparities he experienced between a college that actively supported his education development and growth, and a secondary school which seldom acknowledged his caring responsibilities. 

His experiences were then echoed by Christopher, one of our own young carers, who alongside Caleb gave a hard-hitting insight into the struggles and barriers affecting young and young adult carers across the UK.

Both Caleb and Christopher received a rapturous response from those in attendance and we are incredibly proud of both for giving their personal accounts in a professional and deeply effecting manner.

Together, their heartfelt stories gave the spotlight and microphone to all the hidden and silent young carers across the country.