Today is Carers Rights Day, a national day dedicated to raising awareness of the rights and needs of carers across the UK. In light of this, we’re proud to highlight one of Nottingham College’s recent achievements. In July 2025, we were awarded the Carers Federation Accreditation, recognising our commitment to identifying and supporting student carers.
This accreditation reflects the dedication of our colleagues and the college’s ongoing efforts to create an inclusive and nurturing environment for all students.
Who are student carers?
Student carers are young people and adults who balance their education with caring responsibilities at home. They may be supporting a family member, friend, or neighbour who is affected by illness, disability, mental health challenges, or substance misuse. These students often face unique challenges, including emotional stress, time constraints, and financial pressures, which can impact their academic success and wellbeing.
Introducing our Student Carers Lead
To further strengthen our support, we’re pleased to introduce Alex Stewart as our new Student Carers Lead. Alex will be the main point of contact for staff seeking guidance on how to support student carers and will lead initiatives to raise awareness, develop resources, and ensure our practices remain inclusive and responsive.
“This accreditation recognises the strong foundation of support we already provide for student carers and helps us to build on this, expanding and enhancing the ways we can make a real difference in their lives.”
Alex Stewart
New Carers Policy and Support Guidance
To accompany our accreditation, we’ve launched a new Carers Policy and Support Guidance. These documents outline:
- What staff can do to support student carers.
- How to recognise caring responsibilities.
- Steps for making referrals to the Wellbeing Team.
- Reasonable adjustments that may be offered, such as flexible deadlines, remote learning options, and authorised absences.
All guidance and resources are available internally for staff and students.
