A young carer is defined by Carers Trust as someone aged 25 and under who cares for another person / people who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, cannot cope without their support. The 2021 ONS census reported that there are around 120,000 young carers aged 5-18 in England, while the school census in 2023 suggested that there were 39,000 ‘known’ young carers in the country. This is not taking into consideration the number of unaccounted for young carers that makes this number potentially be up to 20 times larger. One thing that’s clear is that there are a significant number of young people across the country with caring responsibilities who need all the support and guidance possible to help ease and navigate their situation.
Here is a step-by-step guide on how you can access additional support available to young carers in England:
1. Contact Your Local Authority
Visit your local council’s website and search for “young carer support.” You can also call your local council’s general enquiries line to ask for the young carers’ team or service.
Request a Carer’s Assessment. This is an opportunity for the council to understand your needs and offer support. They may provide services such as extra help with your education, respite care, or access to local young carer groups.
2. Check Out National Organisations
Carers Trust and Carers UK are two national charities that provide information and resources specifically for young carers.
Visit their websites: Carers Trust Young Carers and Carers UK Young Carers
These websites offer advice on managing your responsibilities, support groups, and potential financial aid.
3. Speak to Your School or College
Many schools have a designated staff member responsible for supporting young carers. Ask your tutor or student services if they can connect you with this person.
Schools can offer additional academic support, flexible deadlines, or time to attend young carer groups.
4. Join a Young Carers Group
Connecting with other young carers can provide valuable emotional support.
You can ask your local council about nearby groups, or visit the Young Carers Alliance to find groups or services in your area.
5. Online Support Communities
There are online communities where young carers can share their experiences and access support. Websites like The Mix offer forums and resources specifically for young people.
Being able to reach out and ask for help takes a huge amount of strength but it will only result in a change for the better. Providing additional support is about helping young carers to both look after their loved one(s) and to give them the time and environment to enjoy their own childhood and life. If you’re a young person who cares for others or you’re worried about a young carer, please reach out to all the services we’ve mentioned and see how they can help support you!