Who are young carers?

Young carers are children or young people aged between 5 and 17 who provide regular care to a family member, or are affected by the needs of a relative they are living with.

These often include:

• Illness
• Mental health illness
• Substance misuse
• Physical disability
• Learning disability

 Young Carers often take on practical and / or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult.  These can include:

• Practical tasks – cooking, housework and shopping
• Physical care – lifting or helping someone use the stairs
• Personal care – dressing, washing, helping with toileting needs
• Emotional support – listening, calming, being present
• Managing the family budget, collecting benefits and prescriptions
• Medication management
• Looking after younger siblings
• Helping someone communicate