What is a Young Carer?
A young person under 18 years of age who helps to look after a family member who is disabled, physically or mentally ill or has a substance misuse problem. Caring can involve physical or emotional care, or being responsible for someone’s safety and wellbeing. The level of responsibility assumed by a young carer is often inappropriate to their age and beyond the level of simply helping out at home as part of the process of growing up.
Young Carers might experience:
- Being late or absent because of responsibilities at home
- Concentration problems, anxiety or worry in school
- Emotional distress
- Tiredness in school
- Lack of time for homework
- Poor attainment
- Becoming angry or frustrated
- Isolation-feeling no-one understands
- Bullying
- Low self-esteem
Therefore, it is extremely important that we support our Young Carers in any way that they may need.
