Scottish Parliament Unites In Support Of Young Carers On Young Carers Action Day
Stirling, 25th March 2025: Evelyn Tweed MSP has praised young carers and staff that support them at Braehead Primary School, in a Parliamentary debate for Young Carers Action Day.
The debate focused on the theme ‘Give us a break’ – highlighting the important need for young carers to have time to rest and recharge while also calling on schools and employers to provide better support.
Braehead Primary School, who’s young carers and teachers attended the debate, has become a model of best practice by embedding young carer support into everyday school life. Evelyn Tweed highlighted the school’s “problems shared, problems halved” initiative, which allows young carers to submit concerns to their teachers. The school also ensures young carers can access break out spaces and sensory rooms and organises one afternoon a week for young carers to get together and do activities such as cooking, crafts and board games.
Braehead is one of only six schools in Stirling to have achieved both the “We Recognise” and “We Develop” awards through the We Care Award.
During the debate, Evelyn Tweed also highlighted the work of Esther Keane, the Young Carers Officer at Stirling Carers Centre, who has been vocal about the challenges young carers face. Ms Keane emphasised that while schools play an essential role, high school carers co-ordinators often “no longer have dedicated time in their timetables to run support groups, while demand for residential breaks is high and waiting lists often exist.”
The debate saw cross-party agreement that young carers must have longer breaks and more opportunities to thrive
Evelyn Tweed said: “Braehead Primary has done an incredible job of embedding so much into the school for young carers. It was amazing to meet them back in February when they gave me a tour of the school and told me what it means to be a young carer. It was clear to me that being a young carer is celebrated at Braehead and achievements are shared with the whole school. There is no stigma, and the co-ordinators are always actively looking for more young carers to ensure they are supported. I also want to highlight the wonderful work of Mrs Lawrie and Miss Light who are so supportive of the young carers at their school.”
“Young carers carry out responsibilities that are normally expected of adults, not children and young people. We must recognise the toll that this level of responsibility can take, and ensure support is in place, including access to breaks. It was great to see parliamentarians from all parties recognise the immense pressures young carers face, as they juggle school, work, and caring responsibilities, often at the expense of their own wellbeing.
“I hope the Scottish Government will work with local authorities to ensure that access to these vital breaks, both within school hours and in the form of residential respite, is available to all young carers.”
Closing the debate, the Scottish Minister for Social Care, Mental Wellbeing and Sport, Maree Todd, announced that the Scottish Government will formally commit to the Young Carers Covenant—making Scotland the first UK government to do so. She also outlined increased funding for respite breaks, including an additional £5 million in 2025-26, and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to ensuring young carers receive the recognition and support they deserve.
