Carers Trust · 2025
For the first time, the Department for Education has published attainment data specifically for young carers in England, covering 14,847 young carers who finished primary or secondary school in summer 2025. The report finds stark educational inequalities: fewer than half of young carers left primary school meeting the expected standard in reading, writing and maths (49% vs 61% for non-young carers), and only 46% achieved 5 GCSE passes including English and Maths compared to 60% of their peers. Young carers also experience significantly higher rates of absence, suspension and exclusion than their non-caring peers. Carers Trust recommends introducing a Young Carer Lead role in all schools, adding young carers to DfE attendance reporting, and establishing a Young Carers Pupil Premium.