An "invisible army" of Young Carers need support in Staffordshire and Cheshire
Young carers achieve a grade lower in every subject compared to their classmates, and the pandemic has made their lives harder
A national action plan to support an "invisible army" of Young Carers is needed to reduce the impact the coronavirus has had on them, and improve their opportunities in the future.
Carer's Trust is calling on government to Protect Young Carers' Futures to marks Young Carer's Action Day 2021.
Stats show Young Carers, who have to support someone with a mental or physical problem at home, achieve a grade lower in each subject than their non-Caring classmates.
Meanwhile, up to 78% of Young Adult Carers are now more worried about their own future because of the pandemic.
What help should be offered to Young Carers?
Carers Trust is calling on governments across the UK to commit to developing new action plans to protect the futures of children and young people with caring responsibilities.
They believe these plans are urgently needed to address a sharp downward spiral in the mental health of over one million young carers across the UK, and the adverse impact this is having on their aspirations, opportunities and hopes for the future.
To address these challenges, these so-called national action plans could address education, employability and health and wellbeing prospects among young people with caring responsibilities up to the age of 25.
To help make these national action plans for young carers a reality, Carers Trust is working with young carers across the UK to petition the Scottish, Welsh and UK Parliaments to ask statutory bodies to make meaningful commitments to deliver young carers’ rights across health, social care and education.
What does the government say?
A Government spokesperson said:
“Young carers perform an indispensable role in looking after their loved ones and we want to thank them for all they’ve done during these unprecedented times.
“We recognise how challenging this period is, and the Government launched a campaign last September with Every Mind Matters to raise awareness of the guidance and tools available to support children and young people’s mental wellbeing.
“Young carers must be able to take advantage of opportunities beyond their caring responsibilities and we are determined to give them the support they need. To help pupils make up for lost learning and experiences, we are investing £700 million through a dedicated catch up programme.”
How is life different for a Young Carer?
Katharine is a young adult carer who has been caring for her mother since she was ten. She is also a member of a Steering Group for young adult carers set up by Carers Trust.
She said: “When I was just ten I remember my grandfather showing me how to use a spreadsheet so I could manage basic household expenditure and budgeting. I’ve also had to attend doctor’s meetings with my mum, and learn when to speak up so the doctor has the right information.
"I didn’t know it at the time, but these experiences have given me really useful skills, as well as confidence, that I know I can use in my present academic career. It was only through being a young carer that I could have developed such skills at such an early age.”
Welcoming the call for national action plans to protect young carers’ futures, world-leading researcher on young carers’ rights and Carers Trust Ambassador, Professor Saul Becker, said:
“During the pandemic, we have seen millions of people, rightly, furloughed to stay at home, paid by the government and told they must NOT work. On the other hand, carers of all ages, and especially carers under the age of 25, have been forced to stay at home because schools have closed, health and social care services have been cancelled, and young carers have taken on many of the responsibilities of statutory and other service providers, often on a full-time basis.
“It’s young carers’ turn for recognition and support. We desperately need national and local action plans to make sure that young carers are not left behind; that they are no longer ignored and invisible. We must safeguard their futures – and see this as a sound investment not a cost.”
Get support if you are a Young Carer
The Carer's Trust organise Young Carer's Action Day. They also have resources, and details about where you can get support on their website