Young Carers Bursary Scheme

Additional financial help is available to support young carers attending a Newcastle sixth form. 

During the 2021/22 academic year if you are attending sixth form at a Newcastle school you may be able to claim financial help, if your caring role is financially affecting your ability to continue in learning.

Please read this information carefully before submitting an application for Bursary funding.

What do we mean by carer?

If you are looking after a friend or family member who has an illness, disability, mental health illness or addiction, you are a carer and could apply. Visit Newcastle Carers to find out more about carers.

Who can apply for the Young Carers Bursary funding?

The funding will only apply to you if you are aged 16-18 and you are currently attending or hoping to attend sixth form at one of the schools that are part of the Newcastle Schools Bursary Scheme:

Benfield School
Excelsior Academy
Gosforth Academy
Jesmond Park Academy
Kenton School
North East Futures UTC
Sir Charles Parsons School
St Cuthberts Catholic High School
St Mary’s Catholic School
Thomas Bewick School
Walker Riverside Academy

To be able to apply for Bursary funding:

1. First, you must check to see whether you are eligible to apply for either a Standard or an Enhanced Bursary, available through the Newcastle Schools Bursary Scheme.  If you qualify for the Enhanced Bursary you will not be able to claim any further funding if you are a young carer.  If you receive a Standard Bursary you may also be able to claim further funding, providing you supply evidence that you have additional requirements that are associated with your role as a young carer. Help in providing this evidence can be provided by Newcastle Carers.
2. In your application you will have to describe the caring responsibilities you have for a family member or other identified individual.
3. You will have to be able to demonstrate that your finances are impacted upon as a result of caring for someone alongside taking part in learning.
4. Your application must be supported and signed by a professional who is part of Newcastle Carers, who should be able to confirm your status as a carer and the nature of your financial hardship. If you are not already in contact with Newcastle Carers we will pass on your details, with your permission, and they will contact you to discuss your caring role and help you with your application.
5. The Bursary funding can be used for ongoing or one-off expenses associated with your learning.  You should describe the nature of the expenses in your application form.
6. Funding will only be provided during an academic year and will be subject to you meeting a Learner Agreement with your school, which will set out requirements relating to your attendance and behaviour.
7. The funding will generally not exceed £300 and you should retain proof that the funding has been used as described in your application form.  The expenditure can be subject to checks by Newcastle City Council so keeping your receipts is important.
8. You must have your own bank account, as all payments of bursary funding will be made by BACS transfer. If you don’t have a bank account already and don’t know how to get one you can speak to a Newcastle Carers worker for help to set one up.

What sort of things can I use the funding for?

 Examples of how you could use the funding are:

• clothing, books and other equipment for your course
• travel expenses to and from your school and/or other locations that might be associated with your learning, such as a work placement
• expenses associated with visits arranged in conjunction with your school to a university, college etc.

How do I apply?

Complete the application form and submit it to:

Email:
schoolbursaries@newcastle.gov.uk

Post:
Newcastle City Council
School Bursaries
Floor 3
Civic Centre
Newcastle upon Tyne
NE1 8QH

Your application will be passed to Newcastle Carers, who will contact you for verification and endorsement. 

Newcastle Carers, 135-139 Shields Road, Byker,
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE6 1DN

Tel: 0191 275 5060
Email: info@newcastlecarers.org.uk
Website: https://www.newcastlecarers.org.uk/

When can I apply for funding?

You can apply for funding once your school is able to confirm your place in sixth form.

You can submit your application immediately prior to or throughout the academic year, during which you attend sixth form at one of the schools that are part of the Newcastle Schools Bursary Scheme.

Funding is provided for one academic year or to cover a one-off expense.  Further applications must be submitted for any repeat or continuance of funding in subsequent academic years.

What if you have queries relating to your application?

If you have queries regarding your application or payments of the funding contact the Bursary team via email.
 

Young carers bursary - application form