Young Carers

What is a Young Carer?

Young carers are children and young people who are the main carers of a sick or disabled parent or sibling. The type of care may not only be physical but can also include emotional care and reassurance.

There are about 51,000 children and young people in the UK who are involved in caring for someone. The person that they care for is usually a parent or sibling, but can also have a role in caring or the extended family such as and Aunt or Grandparent link will open in new window.

Young carers face serious caring responsibilities. In addition to the daily tasks they complete for the person they are caring for such as housework, cooking and bathing, they live with the added pressure of school, and often, a lack of understanding from school mates. The physical and emotional strain of the provision of that care can affect the day to day life of that young person and can sometimes be too much to cope with.

Support for Young Carers

If you would like to talk to someone about being a young carer there is a range of people that will listen and understand. They are:

  • Young Carers Officer - Maggie Harris is a specialist employed by Children and Young People's Social Care to help young carers. Maggie is happy to come and visit you at home to find out more about you. She can also answer any questions that you have or just listen if you need someone to talk to. Tel: 01202 261564
  • Help and Care/Carerslink - A telephone helpline available between 10am - 12 noon and from 2pm - 4pm, Monday to Friday. There is someone to provide a listening ear for carers and give information about local services. For more information telephone 01202 434455
  • The Quay Advice Service link will open in new window - Information, advice and counselling for young people, telephone 01202 262292
  • Your Health Visitor - Book an appointment to see your health visitor through your doctors surgery
  • Your School Nurse or pastoral care teacher - If you think that caring is affecting your progress at school some schools have a teacher with special responsibility for young carers
  • Your education Welfare Officer - If you are having difficulties at school or find it difficult to attend school regularly

Young Carers Project

The Young Carers Project offers young carers:

  • individual advice and support
  • the opportunity to meet other carers
  • regular trips and activities
  • a newsletter

Our Young Carers Officer runs three groups for young carers aged:

  • 5-10 years
  • 10-14 years
  • 14-17 years

The groups run different activities that you can join in, which has included a drama course and football school, using Youth Centres, going to the park and the beach. We occassionally go on bigger trips, and we have been to Thorpe Park and Brownsea Island.

If you need transport to get to the group we can help. We may also be able to help if you need someone to look after the person that you care for while you come to the group.

If you would like someone to contact you regarding our support services for young carers including the Young Carers Project then please complete the Young Carers Enquiry Form or call us on Tel: 01202 735046 and ask for the Assessment Team.

Young Carers Rights

Young carers have legal rights under the The Carers (Recognition and Services) Act 1995 link will open in new window and the Children Act 1989 link will open in new window where they can be identified as children in need.

Not all young carers experience problems, but those who do, tell us that main issues for them are:

  • Tiredness and worry (sometimes leading to poor performance at school)
  • Having to do things which they don't like (e.g. changing incontinence pads)
  • Having to look after themselves more than other children of a similar age
  • A feeling of grief and sadness about their situation
  • Missed time from school
  • Restricted leisure activities
  • Isolation and feeling different
  • Bullying
  • Not getting equal attention (attention is sometimes diverted to the cared for person)
  • Not being recognised in their own right as a result of being the cared for persons sister, brother, son, daughter etc.
  • Being left out of special treats which the cared for person might receive

We encourage parents to recognise the needs of children who are caring and to use the range of facilities which are in place to support these young people.

Children who are caring have a right to assessment under the Children Act link will open in new window. The assessment helps a social worker to find out what can be offered to help the young carer.

The result of the assessment might be:

  • Information
  • Advice
  • A change in the care plan of the service user
  • Services provided to the carer

Changes in the care plan would only happen as a result of negotiations with the service user. Some children may be offered an opportunity to join a young carers group which provides an opportunity for respite and support.

Useful Organisations

Further information to help with any issues you may have over health conditions and staying well may be obtained from the following organisations:

Young Minds link will open in new window (improving the mental health of young people)
Teenage Health Freak link will open in new window (a guide to teenage health)
Carers Information link will open in new window (resources and information for carers)
Children's Society link will open in new window (helps you to deal with life's challenges)
Vois link will open in new window (a community of young people voicing their issues) 
Grandparents' Association link will open in new window



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