Young Carers
A Young Carer is someone under 18 (or up to 25 for young adult carers) who provides unpaid care and support to a family member or friend with a disability, long-term illness, mental health condition, or substance misuse issue. They take on practical or emotional responsibilities that are often inappropriate for their age, such as cooking, cleaning, providing personal care, managing medication, or looking after siblings.
Key Aspects of a Young Carer:
- Support: As defined by the Children and Families Act 2014, they are entitled to support, including assessments of their needs, to help them balance their education and personal life.
- Prevalence: It is estimated that as many as one in five children and young people in the UK are young carers.
- Responsibilities: They may handle chores, financial management, lifting, or dressing the person they care for.
- Impact: Caring can lead to lower educational attainment, social isolation, and stress due to balancing school with care duties
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Common scenarios involve looking after a parent with a chronic condition or a sibling with a disability.
If you would like to speak to our Young Help Co-ordinator, please contact youngcarers@audenshawprimary.co.uk