Mansfield’s Queen Elizabeth’s Academy has received the Young Carers in School Bronze Award from Nottinghamshire Carers Association for its work in supporting young carers.

The academy has a number of students who support family members as their carers, and this award recognises and acknowledges the academy’s commitment to supporting the children who take on this role, together with their families.

This has been especially important during the past year and the periods of lockdown, and the academy has been proactive in providing the appropriate help for those in need.

Tom Millar (pictured), deputy safeguarding lead and mental health lead at the academy, which is part of the Diverse Academies Trust, has been at the forefront of supporting young carers and their families.

“We recognise the hard work of a number of our students who, alongside their studies, are needed to provide care for various family members,” he said.

“My role has been to provide advice and guidance to these children, together with regular welfare calls to them and their families. As the link between Nottinghamshire Carers Association, we have also ensured our young carers know of planned activities by the association and Nottinghamshire County Council.

“In line with our duty of care to these students, all young carers and families also had access to my contact details in case of an urgent issue too. We are pleased that the work done with these young carers has been recognised, and the academy will continue our work to support them.”

Queen Elizabeth’s is now recognised as a Carer Friendly School.