barnet young carers

Evidence shows that being a young carer can impact on school attendance, attainment, personal development and welfare.

 ‘A young carer becomes vulnerable when their caring roles risks impacting upon their emotional or physical wellbeing and their prospects in education and life.’ (Department of Health, 2014).

Some of the impacts can be on a young person’s:

• Socialisation: Young carers often feel different or isolated from their peers and have limited opportunities for socialising. A quarter of young carers in the UK said they were bullied at school because of their caring role (Carers Trust, 2013)

• Emotional wellbeing: Stress, tiredness and mental ill-health are common for young carers

• Physical health: Young carers are often severely affected by caring through the night, repeatedly lifting a heavy adult, poor diet and lack of sleep

• Stable environment: Young carers can experience traumatic life changes such as bereavement, family break-up, losing income and housing, or seeing the effects of an illness or addiction on the person they care for.