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. 2022 Oct 29;19(21):14172.
doi: 10.3390/ijerph192114172.

Professionals' Awareness of Young Carers in Schools: Results from a French Survey

Aurélie Untas  1 , Christel Vioulac  1 , Pauline Justin  1 , Agnes Leu  2 , Géraldine Dorard  1
Affiliations

Professionals' Awareness of Young Carers in Schools: Results from a French Survey

Aurélie Untas et al. Int J Environ Res Public Health. .

Abstract

Few studies have investigated professionals' awareness of young carers (YCs). Therefore, the main aim of this study was to explore school professionals' awareness of YCs. The secondary aim was to compare professionals' responses according to their occupation. A total of 2658 professionals took part in this study by completing an online questionnaire. The results indicated that the mean for the perceived age for care beginning was 10.3 years old, with parents being perceived as the most frequent care recipient. The main caring activities reported were domestic chores, emotional support and sibling care, while care provided directly to the care recipient was perceived as less frequent. Many suggestions for improving the identification, referral and support of YCs were seen as relevant, but professionals were less supportive of suggestions for adjustments within schools. The key training needs centered around better identifying YCs and developing better knowledge of their difficulties. Differences were observed according to occupation, with administrative staff and teachers having less accurate perceptions than school counsellors as well as social and health professionals. This study shows that it can be difficult for school professionals to imagine a child providing care. Specific training, therefore, needs to be proposed according to school professionals' occupations.

Keywords: awareness; caring; identification; occupation; professionals; school; support; young carers.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Perception of general help provided by young carers according to occupation.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Perception of help provided to the cared-for relative by young carers according to occupation.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Perception of general negative consequences according to occupation: sadness, anxiety, fatigue, isolation.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Perception of general negative consequences according to occupation: physical health issues, shame, aggressivity, substance abuse, dark thoughts.
Figure 5
Figure 5
Perception of general positive consequences according to occupation.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Perception of school consequences according to occupation: concentration issues, absenteeism/lateness, school difficulties, educational progress.
Figure 7
Figure 7
Perception of school consequences according to occupation: repeating a class, behavioral issues, school overinvestment, stigmatization or bullying.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Suggestions to enhance identification of young carers at school according to occupation.
Figure 9
Figure 9
Suggestions for school arrangements according to occupation.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Suggestions to help and/or refer the youth and the family according to occupation.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Suggestions to raise awareness in schools according to occupation.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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