Young Carers

The North East Raising Aspiration Partnership is committed to it’s work with Young Carers across the region.

A young carer is someone under 18 who helps look after someone in their family, or a friend, who is ill, disabled or misuses drugs or alcohol. Research has identified that as many as 2 pupils in every class could be a young carer.

How does NERAP support Young Carers?

Outreach Activities

We offer a selection of outreach activities that we are able to deliver to young carers groups. All sessions are interactive, and include specific details of support for young carers into higher education. Please see the details of these sessions below:

Lego Engineering

Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3

This session introduces the world of engineering to students, guiding them through potential courses, options, and careers as well as considering how engineering is vital to creating the world we live in. Students will then receive their design briefs and equipment and must work in a team to design and develop their Lego vehicles before they go head-to-head in a final competition, all while considering some typical challenges engineers must overcome when meeting a design briefs specification. We’ll debrief after the competition and take any questions your students have about Higher Education or studying a STEM degree.

CSI: Crack the Case

Key Stage 3, Key Stage 4

The session will take your students through an introduction to what university is and why they might want to go to university. We’ll think about what STEM is, STEM degrees, and potential STEM careers discussing the opportunities available both at university and after completing a degree. Our staff will guide students through exploring a simulated crime scene, identifying evidence types that are present and considering how it’s possible to link suspects to a crime. Students will then get to have a go at lifting their very own fingerprints using the same equipment employed in crime scene investigations. Our team will guide students through every step and answer any questions about Higher Education and studying at university.

Coding with Sphero

Key Stage 2, Key Stage 3

The session introduces the world of coding in a hands-on, fun way with students able to see how their code manipulates their Sphero robot. Students will work collaboratively in small groups to learn the foundations of coding, starting small and developing their skills before moving onto more complex challenges that will test their problem-solving skills as well as their team working. As we deliver the session, we’ll think about how and why coding is so important and the types of careers that may be available as a result of studying Computer Science and Technology based degrees.

If you are interested in receiving more information about how we support young carers, or would look to book one of the above sessions, please contact the NERAP Project Team at info@nerap.ac.uk

The Choices Together Podcast

In 2025 the team created the Choices Together podcast – an informal, accessible way to learn about HE! The NERAP team discuss relevant topics and offer advice and guidance, as well as talking about their own HE experiences.

Find our Choices Together podcasts here:

The Choices Together Podcast

Tailored advice and guidance

The NERAP team can support you with any questions or queries you may have, as well as signposting you to colleagues at our partner universities to ask specific questions about areas such as support available for them, courses, accommodation and finance.

Just contact us at: info@nerap.ac.uk!

Support at our Partner Universities

Finding the right university for you can be a challenging task. Universities offer different types of support, so being aware of what support they offer before you make a decision is important!

We can also signpost you to any events and activities that are being offered specifically to young carers at our partner universities.

Use the links below to find out more information about the different support our 5 North East partner universities offer!