The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) estimates that there are 260,700 young carers aged 25 years or under in Australia, more than 3% of all people under 25. Young carers are often at risk of experiencing mental ill-health as a result of their caring role, and often do not seek support. The situation is further complicated in that many young carers do not identify as such. In some cases, young carers and the people around them may not know what a young carer is, or young carers may be reluctant to identify themselves due to the potential implications of disclosing their family situation, which may lead to stigma, bullying or raise questions of child protection. Failing to identify as a young carer can adversely impact children and young people’s access to support at school or university, in the community and within service systems.

The Productivity Commission inquiry into Mental Health identified the important role of schools in identifying and supporting young carers to remain engaged in educational, social and support activities and achieve optimal outcomes. Carers NSW Young Carer Awareness Training, initially developed through a NSW Government grant for projects driven and led by young persons, is co-delivered with young carers, and aims to raise awareness of young carers with educators, improving their ability to identify young carers and respond to their needs.

This presentation will draw on findings from the Carers NSW 2020 National Carer Survey and associated Young Carer Research Project to highlight the importance of early identification of young carers within educational environments to encourage support seeking behaviours and thereby improve mental health outcomes for young carers. The presentation will also showcase the co-delivered Carers NSW Young Carer Awareness Training, and the importance of including young carers in the design and delivery of awareness and identification initiatives.