The Young Carer Project

Little Dreamers » Programs » The Young Carer Project

Young Carers, Austin and Bobbi, sit together, their arms around each others shoulders. Austin is wearing a sideways cap, t-shirt and jeans, and Bobbi is wearing a yellow t-shirt with a print, dark shorts and a watch on his left wrist. Both Young Carers smile directly at the camera, behind them is a wooden fence and green trees behind it, below a clear blue sky.

AGES 8+

In every classroom across Australia, two to three students will have a caring role. The Young Carer Project strives to create a school community where Young Carers have equal access to educational opportunities as their peers.

The Young Carer Project currently works with schools in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. The program adopts a whole school approach to engineer a kind, safe and supportive school environment where Young Carers can thrive.

Young Carers, Hannah and Eve, sit cross legged on the floor. Eve is on the right, and gestures with her hands as she speaks. Hannah uses one hand to point at Eve, and is laughing as she looks towards Eve. They are sitting in a circle with other Young Carers out of the frame.

How does the Program Work?

The Little Dreamers team works with key teachers and wellbeing staff, Young Carers and the broader school community to create more awareness and understanding of Young Carers. We deliver professional development for staff through online modules and interactive training sessions, and empower Young Carers to implement the supports they want to see in their schools through regular workshops.

The Young Carer Project is currently listed on the Victorian Schools Mental Health Menu. We encourage Victorian schools to purchase the program through the Menu.

The program is funded for delivery in both NSW and QLD. The Young Carer Project is flexible in its delivery and we encourage schools nationwide to register their interest below.

School students in light blue and navy school uniforms sit around a table, pieces of paper and stationary scattered across it. In the foreground of the frame, backs to us, a Little Dreamers facilitator is talking to a female student in a light blue dress as she writes on the paper. All students are looking towards their work. They are located in a classroom setting.

Program Roadmap

The Young Carer Project believes in a school community where Young Carers have equal access to educational opportunities as their peers. To do this, we’re educating teachers and students in schools across Queensland, helping them to better identify and support Young Carers in their classrooms.

When you become part of The Young Carer Project, you’ll nominate your key teachers and wellbeing staff (Teacher Champions) and students with caring roles (Young Carer Ambassadors), who will then participate in training, workshops and online modules.

Check out our project roadmap below to learn more about the process!

View our Roadmap

Make Life Better

Staff, St Albans Secondary School

"My colleague and I were lucky enough to be involved in the training and were instantly blown away by the connections made between the Little Dreamers facilitators and the students. They created such a warm and welcoming environment that students felt safe and supported to share their stories and the struggles they face as Young Carers. This is an extraordinary program, we are so excited to work with Little Dreamers and support Young Carer ambassadors at St Albans to create an environment where they and other Young Carers can thrive."

Student, Bracken Ridge State High School

"The Young Carers Project was a very good, interactive day. We learnt a lot about what a Young Carer does and the responsibilities they do. Learnt about what other Young Carers do within their role and I believe the school should learn it and do more to support Young Carers in the school."

The Young Carer Project