Two Pembrokeshire secondary schools have become the first in the county to be formally recognised for their work with young carers.

Greenhill and Milford Haven schools, with the support of Action for Children, have achieved the Investors in Carers Bronze level award, presented by Hywel Dda University Health Board to commend the excellent work undertaken to work with pupils who are young carers.

The scheme, launched in autumn 2014, is designed to help health facilities such as GP practices and hospitals focus on and improve their carer awareness and enhance the help and support they give carers. Now the initiative will recognise schools to highlight the role of young carers.

A wide range of information and advice is available for young carers in both schools and staff have worked hard to ensure pupils understand how to get support that can make all the difference for them and the person they care for. The schools have also raised awareness of what a carer is for those pupils who do not have caring responsibilities.

Peta Rogers, behavioural and wellbeing manager at Greenhill School, said: “As a school we were grateful to participate in the scheme and we found it very supportive and informative to help us achieve our goals to identify young carers in the school and to support them with their educational life.”

Kate Evans-Hughes, director of education for Pembrokeshire County Council, commended the schools for this achievement: “I am delighted to support the Investors in Carers Scheme that Milford Haven School and Greenhill School have been developing in their schools.

“Their achievement is a very positive result and is a clear message to young carers that these schools recognise the additional challenges they may face.

“I encourage other schools to consider involvement in this programme and look forward to hearing of other successes.”

Peter Llewellyn, assistant director of strategic partnerships for Hywel Dda UHB, added: “Having already been developed in GP surgeries and community pharmacies, it is particularly pleasing that the Investors in Carers scheme has been adapted and successfully introduced in secondary schools in an effort to identify young carers.

“As a health board we would like to acknowledge the way that these schools have enthusiastically embraced the scheme and we hope that current discussions with other schools will also see them recognised in the same way.”

Young carers are children and young people under the age of 18 who may be involved in caring for parents, siblings, or other relatives who have an illness, disability, mental health condition, suffered substance misuse or other need for care or supervision. Anyone can become a carer; in most cases becoming a carer is not out of choice, it just happens.

For more information about the support available to carers and the Investors in Carers scheme please visit www.hywelddahb.wales.nhs.uk/carers