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Young Carers

Young carers are children and young people who provide care, assistance and support to another family member. The person they care for is often a parent but can be a sibling, grandparent or other relative who needs care, support or supervision because of disability, chronic illness, mental health difficulties or problems with drugs or alcohol misuse.

Young carers might be providing physical care, such as lifting a family member out of bed, helping them with personal hygiene, or cooking their meals; providing emotional care, such as supporting a parent through depression or dealing with the aftermath of a drinking binge or taking responsibility, such as cooking meals for younger siblings, taking them to school, administering medication, doing a substantial amount of housework, or running the household

Young carers in school 

Did you know that the 2001 Census estimated that there are 175 000 young carers aged under 18 in the UK, but this is likely to be an underestimation as many young carers are 'hidden'.  Many young carers leave school with low grades or no qualifications. This can be the result of missing school, not completing homework, or being tired and distracted whilst at school.

What are the reasons behind young people becoming carers?

These vary from individual to individual, however several factors which are likely to influence this are:

  • The structure of the family unit - A young person may become the carer because a parent requires support. Other families may contain more than one member with care needs, thus increasing the responsibilities taken on by young people.
  • The type of illness/disability and perception of need - The levels of support required can vary widely in accordance with the nature of an illness or disability. Conditions may be stable and managed, or in other cases they may be degenerative, or periodic – with sudden and unexpected changes to the care recipients condition.
  • Knowledge of the support available - Whilst coming to terms with and managing illness or disability, families are not always aware of whom they can turn to for support. This can be compounded in situations where families or individuals fear stigmatisation. Families can often lack information and knowledge of their rights and how to access available support.

What can schools do to support these young people?

  • Schools should consider designating a member of staff to have responsibility for young carers.  They can also contribute to schemes that support them, working with local authorities and voluntary agencies.

  • Ensure support systems are in place for vulnerable groups which provide among other things, signposting and access to external support for parents and pupils and training for staff on specific needs of pupils e.g. young carers

This publication is available on Teachernet

More information

Contact

Simon Eedle
Deputy Children's Services Manager
Barnardos Young Carers
Phone: 0191 300 1266
Email: simon.eedle@barnardos.org.uk