Learn some helpful tips

I needed help with my homework. I told my teacher why. She was super helpful. She put together a study plan for me. I also sometimes stay after school to do homework with her.’

‘You don’t want to feel singled out—almost like you’ve got this neon sign above your head. You can feel that when they walk past. They look at you differently.’

‘Don’t feel that you need to say everything. It’s okay to say, “I couldn’t get the assignment in because Mum’s in hospital”. That sort of thing.’

‘One of my teachers didn’t believe me. I failed a test and she didn’t believe why. It took time but now she does believe me. She even helps me explain it to other teachers.’

‘My teacher put me down once. Mum gave me brochures to put on his desk the next day. Turns out he had no idea about carers. He changed overnight.’

‘If you feel like you’re not heard, seek the support of someone you trust. If you’ve got a teacher who’s been good, they could talk to other staff and explain where you’re coming from.’

‘It’s actually illegal for teachers to discriminate against me because I’m a carer. Once I had a teacher call me a slacker. They can’t do that. I didn’t know it at the time.’