An "invisible army" of Young Carers need support - and quickly

Young carers achieve a grade lower in every subject compared to their non-Caring classmates, and the pandemic has made their lives harder

Author: Mick CoylePublished 16th Mar 2021

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.

WATCH Leading Young Carers researcher Prof Saul Becker tells Senior Correspondent Mick Coyle on Young Carer's Action Day

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?

James Simmons, who's from Wymondham, Norfolk, looks after his mum and grandmother.

He said, on top of college work, it's a lot of juggle:

“My mental health has got really bad over the last three-four months and I've had to push my mental health and personal health above my school work. It's a very difficult thing to do given that all of my grades will be based off of evidence that I've submitted.

"I do my best, but it's never perfect."

As well as coping with the pressure of college and responsibilities as a young carer, James is anxious about going to university in the the future.

He added: "When I go to university, I don't know whether there will be the support available to allow my to go. If I'm needed by my mum or nan, I don't know how that's going to work or how long I will be needed for, or when I will be needed.

"It really does mess with you when thinking about going to university, I'm limited to around two-and-a-half hours away, that's the further I would go."

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

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