Young Carers - What I do is just 'normal'
We have been looking to identify young carers find out more about their experiences. This report highlights their views on their experiences, self-identification and support needs.
Summary:
A number of engagement tools were used to conduct this project including an online survey, a ‘day in the life of’ story board, face to face interviews, parent case studies and ‘support in school’ and ‘barriers to learning’ surveys.
In total 13 young carers and 6 parents participated. The key findings can be identified as follows:
- Young people want to support their family members however feelings of stress and worry are common
- Most did not self identify as carers until after our engagement
- A wide range of domestic tasks are undertaken incl. cleaning, cooking, medication management, personal care and sibling care
- Responsibilities extend over a long period of time and often education establishments are unaware of their roles and responsibilities and as such the impact this may have on their school work.
- Young people felt there was limited if any support available for them.
- In an emergency the young people identified friends and other family members as being their first port of call.
- More awareness is needed around young carers, their roles and the impact on their lives.
- Young carers expressed a desire for support in relation to practical needs such as first aid and cooking.
- Support was preferred in a digital format so young carers could access at a time convenient to them to enable them to continue with their caring roles. It was felt specific groups/clubs were less attainable due to a lack of finances, travel and their caring roles.
Conclusion:
- Caring is a constant feature of daily life
- There was a considerable impact on a young person’s life including difficulty socialising with peers, attending school, completing homework and having time to relax.
- The support provided varied greatly depending on age and the needs of the individual, however in all circumstances care extended over a long period of time.
- Family and friends were the main source of support
- There was a fear of social services mainly due to a lack of understanding of their role and responsibilities meaning carer assessments were limited.
- TEC was seen as important and assisted in many ways
- Greater awareness and understanding is needed from educational establishments and a better support system within these settings would be beneficial.
- More practical support is needed which in an ideal world would be provided digitally to allow a young person to continue with their caring role.
In order to help raise awareness of young carers a charity single was written using quotes from interviews with young carers. Please help support this cause by downloading the song
‘Growing Older’ by Casper Mason.
Downloads
A number of recommendations were made to schools and the local authority which can be read in the main report by clicking on the link below:
Young Carers
