Question to the Department for Education:

To ask the Secretary of State for Education, if she will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the eligibility criteria for students in vulnerable groups in the 16 to 19 bursary fund to include young carers.

The department believes it is very important to make sure young carers can participate in education and get the support they need. This support will vary depending on family circumstances.

The ‘defined vulnerable groups’ face specific issues that mean they are not getting financial support from their families. This will be true of some young carers but not all.

The department provides a range of financial support for students who need it to enable them to participate in further education. This includes free meals, bursaries to help with the cost of education, such as travel, books, equipment and trips,as well as support for childcare and residential costs where required.

Young carers can discuss their individual needs with their school or college which can provide appropriate support, including from the institution’s discretionary Bursary Fund.