Who are young carers?

Some young children, often from an early age, take on regular or ongoing care and support for another family member (usually a parent or sibling) with a physical or mental illness, a disability, or who is struggling with substance misuse.

  • The average age of a young carer is 12 years
  • Over 13,000 young carers care for up to 50 hours a week
  • Young carers are more likely to be bullied by their peers
  • Young carers are more likely to live in low income families
  • Young adult carers aged between 16 and 18 years are twice as likely to be not in education, employment, or training (NEET).

Young carers often have to assume a level of responsibility that would normally only be asked of an adult. The stress and anxiety that this can cause can leave them feeling isolated and unsupported. Many miss out on their childhood and youth as time constraints make it impossible for them to attend school or take part in leisure activities with their peers. *

If so please see HERE for useful support information from Spurgeons.

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*information taken from the Spurgeons website