If you or someone you know is a young carer then we’ve put together this piece of advice so you know what support is available.
What is a Young Carer?
A young carer is someone under 18 who helps look after an adult in their family. This adult needs support because of:
- A disability
- Physical or mental health problems
- Substance misuse issues (like drugs or alcohol)
What do Young Carers do?
- Help at Home: They do extra tasks to support their family member.
- Emotional Support: They help their family member feel better emotionally.
Many young carers might not know they are carers and that help is available for them too.
What the Local Council Does
- Assessing the Impact: The local council looks at how caring affects the young carer. They want to make sure the child is not doing too much and that school is not affected.
- Assessment: The council will talk to the young carer, their parents, and anyone else the young carer wants involved.
The assessment helps the council understand what support the young carer and their family need.
Support for Young Carers
If a young carer needs support, the local council will explain what help they can give. This support can be different depending on where you live but may include:
- Emotional Support: Counseling and drop-in sessions
- Activities: Opportunities to join activities with other young carers
- Grants: Small grants for things needed at home
- Respite Grants: Money to give the carer a break
- Direct Payments and Personal Budgets: Money to help with specific needs
To learn more, you can visit the Child Law Advice section on young carers.
Young Carers Services
Work closely with schools, education welfare, children’s social services and GPs to help provide practical and emotional support for young carers.
Provide advice and support on what young carers are entitled to, emotional support through counselling and drop-in sessions, opportunities for young carers to play and learn with other young carers and more.
Local support directory helps carers find local sources of support.
Provide specialist advice and information on child, family and education law to parents, carers and young people.
Work in partnership with local and national services to support young carers in knowing their rights and with advice on education, well-being and mental health.
If you are experiencing difficulties please contact the Friends, Families and Travellers helpline on 01273 234 777. We are open Monday to Friday, 10am to 4.30pm excluding bank holidays.
Correct as of July 2024.
