A young carer is someone aged 18 or under who helps look after a relative with a disability, illness, mental health condition, or drug or alcohol problem.
If you are a young carer, you probably look after one of your parents, or care for a brother or sister. You may do extra jobs in and around the home, such as cooking, cleaning, or helping someone to get dressed and move around.
You may also give a lot of physical help to a brother or sister who is disabled or ill. Along with doing things to
help your brother or sister, you may be giving them and your parents emotional support too.
REFERENCE: NHS
It may be useful to know that as a young carer, you have the right to a Young Carer's Assessment by the local authority. This assessment will take a whole family approach and should look at the needs of the person that you care for. This is to assess whether they are eligible for any extra support, in order to help you in your caring role. Your wishes and preferences will be taken in to account during the assessment.
The support a young carer could receive includes:
Being a young carer can be tough and finding the right balance between caring and having a fulfilled life yourself can be difficult to balance. When your caring responsibilities affect your access to friendships, education or training, then it is having a huge impact on your life.
Therefore, it is very important that young carers have an assessment and can access support from their local authority and national and regional support organisations.
More information can be found on the NHS website:
www.nhs.uk/young-carers-rights
For more information about the rights of young carers and where to get support if you are a young carer or a young adult carer please visit:
www.carers.org/about-young-carers
www.carers.org/getting-support
If you are worried or have any concerns, please contact the Buttercups Safeguarding and Welfare Team.
OFFICE HOURS: 0115 937 4936
OUT OF HOURS: 07483 038898
EMAIL: safeguarding@buttercups.co.uk
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