What is a young carer?

Young carers are children and young people who often take on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult.

Young carers often take on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult. The tasks undertaken can vary according to the nature of the illness or disability, the level and frequency of need for care and the structure of the family as a whole.

A young carer may do some or all of the following:

• Practical tasks, such as cooking, housework and shopping.
• Physical care, such as lifting, helping a parent on stairs or with physiotherapy.
• Personal care, such as dressing, washing, helping with toileting needs.
• Managing the family budget, collecting benefits and prescriptions.
• Administering medication.
• Looking after or “parenting” younger siblings.
• Emotional support.
• Interpreting, due to a hearing or speech impairment or because English is not the family’s first language.

Some young carers may undertake high levels of care, whereas for others it may be frequent low levels of care. Either can impact heavily on a child or young person.

Source and further information: https://www.solgrid.org.uk/education/safeguarding/child-protection/issues/young-carers/.