An exploration of the UK carer world

Young carers  The pages have been moved to here.  The text remains here as there are links to it elsewhere.



  1. Young carers from other pages
  2. Local authority responsibility
  3. A definition
  4. Young carers’ general health
  5. Rise in number of unpaid carers 
  6. Young carers and young adult carers
  7. Young minds
  8. The need for respite
  9. New rights for vulnerable young carers
  10. Care for their siblings in the absence of a parent.
  11. Young carer stories
  12. More play

   


Links

Young carers are being bullied.- No. 10 here

16 – 30 years: 

Caring Alone Support Service - Nathan's Story

under 16: 

Action with Young Carers Project FAQs

Young Adult Carers: develop your campaigning voice with Time to be Heard here.

Useful-looking carer link www.carers.gov.uk  here  but it doesn't work. Other stuff may be of use.

youngcarers.net here     

Young Carer stories here  and £ here  Barnardo's here.

NHS here   Young Carers here  Lewis here

Children in Wales here.  

Crossroads Care South East Wales here

Carer rights Home page here

 


1   

Young carers from other pages

How young do they start?    here 

Is five the right age to start as a carer? It's official here. That was from 1e here.

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There are about 175,000 young carers in the UK who 

provide care or support to a family member who is disabled,

 physically or mentally ill, or has a substance misuse problem.  source


More than 166,000 children across the country are young carers, forced to grow up early and miss out on the same opportunities as other children because they care for family members who are disabled or chronically ill, or for adults who are misusing alcohol or drugs.  source 


See also 6 below re stats.


2    

Local authority responsibility

The local authority has a responsibility to make sure a young carer’s own wellbeing is looked after and that they receive the necessary support. So, a 16- or 17-year-old who cares for someone, even for a limited period, may be entitled to an assessment. 

 source 

How does a four-year old carer receive an assessment?  


3

A definition

Young carers are children and young people who look after someone in their family who has an illness, a disability, or is affected by mental ill-health or substance misuse.    here 


4

Young carers’ general health

Providing unpaid care may have an adverse affect on young carers’ general health  here.


5

Rise in number of unpaid carers 

and young carers here.


6

Young carers and young adult carers


     6a  13,000 of the UK’s young carers care for over 50 hours a week.  

     6b   Following a survey in 2010, the BBC estimated that there are 700,000 young carers in the UK. 

     6c   Young adult carers aged between 16 and 18 years are twice as likely not to be in education, employment, 
            or training  (NEET). 

     6d    In total there are 290,369 carers in the UK who are aged 16–24.   
source  


7

Young minds



8

The need for respite

Intro here 


9

Paul Burstow 

hails victory as he secures new rights for vulnerable young carers here.


10

The Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP

The Rt Hon Alan Johnson MP, who was brought up by his sister from the age of 13 following their mother’s death, has called for legislation to improve the situation of brothers and sisters who care for their siblings in the absence of a parent. In Britain it is estimated there are over 45,000 siblings raising their younger brothers and sisters. In some cases this is as a result of parental death, or because of parental imprisonment, mental illness, drug and alcohol misuse or domestic violence – or a combination of these factors. more


11

Young carer stories

Jodie's Story Jodie is a 14 year old young carer who looks after her brother Rocky who is 8. Rocky suffers from a very rare genetic condition called Peters Plus Syndrome.

Kiki's Story The day starts early for 12-year-old Kikelomo Famuyawa. She gets up first, has her bath then runs another one for her two-year-old sister Victoria who suffers from hydrocephalus (water on the brain) and has severe learning difficulties.

Grant's Story Sometimes it all gets too much for Grant, 13, when he’s sitting in school trying to concentrate but can’t stop worrying about what's going on at home.

Jordan's Story He knows he can’t cheer me up fully inside, but he can put a smile on my face for ten minutes once a day

Aewyn's Story I’ve grown up more understanding, tolerant and caring




12

More play for all children

The “schoolification” of early years education is leaving under-fives without enough time to play, those who care for children have warned.

Almost half of all childminders, nannies and nursery workers believe young children need more play, a survey by the Professional Association of Childcare and Early Years (Pacey) has  found. The association is concerned that government proposals to focus on higher-level qualifications for nursery workers and childminders will only make the situation worse. 


source
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