A new method for school health care to support young carers

Research shows that school health care staff at primary and secondary schools in Sweden rarely find out about children who have a role of a young carer.

Anhörigas Riksförbund (The Swedish Carers’ Association) has therefore developed a methodological material aimed at helping the School Health Care Staff to find and identify these children.

“Children related to someone with mental health issues, substance abuse problems or severe, physical illness often have to take on much more responsibility for their family and situation than other children may. As a result, many of these children suffer and struggle to handle their situation”, says Marie Rydell, project manager, Anhörigas Riksförbund.

Material related to this project was financed by the Swedish National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) and consists of teacher instructions, PowerPoint slides and discussion images, which the teachers can use during the lessons. Unfortunately, for the time being, the teaching material is only available in Swedish, but free to download from Anhörigas Riksförbund’s website.

Please find the URL below if you wish to access the Swedish material:
https://anhorigasriksforbund.se/barnsomanhoriga