Young Carers

A young carer is someone who is helping to look after a close relative.

Lots of young people help to look after members of their family, but some are seriously affected by this, or find it very difficult. This could be because caring takes up so much of their time, or perhaps because there is a lot to worry about. (Some young carers miss time at school or are very tired whilst they are at school.) Some young carers find it difficult to talk about what happens at home because they worry it might make their parents look bad in some way.

A young carer may be affected by their parent's physical health, or by other problems like depression or alcohol.  We aim to provide:

Social Care Services has a responsibility to undertake community care and assess adults who are in need of community care services, including those who are parents. This could include parents with physical and/or learning disabilities and/or mental ill-health. In some cases, Home Care may be provided, to support a disabled parent in their parenting role.

Social Care sometimes receive referrals in relation to ‘young carers’.  An assessment may be carried out where there are specific concerns, to find out how Social Care can help. Advice and support can also be given.

Some young carers, who require ongoing support, are referred to CareFree. Social Care Services and Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) fund the Barnardo’s project Carefree to provide support and respite services to ‘young carers’, on behalf of Social Care Services.

CareFree provide a range of practical and emotional support services to young carers, including:

CareFree work with volunteers, who work alongside paid staff, in group work activities and, where appropriate, to offer one-to-one support.