Young Carers

What is a Young Carer?

A young carer is a young person, typically under the age of 18, who takes on significant caregiving responsibilities for a family member or relative with a disability, illness, mental health condition, addiction, or other care needs. Young carers may be responsible for tasks such as assisting with personal care, administering medication, helping with household chores, providing emotional support, and managing appointments or medical needs for their loved ones.

The role of a young carer can vary widely depending on the needs of the person they care for and the dynamics of their family. Some young carers may be responsible for caring for a sibling with a disability, a parent with a chronic illness, or a grandparent who requires assistance. The care they provide can be both physical and emotional, and the level of responsibility they assume may be considerable, often impacting their daily lives and routines.

Young carers often face unique challenges and experiences compared to their peers. They may have to balance their caregiving duties with schoolwork, social activities, and personal development, which can be physically and emotionally demanding. The stress and responsibilities of caregiving can also affect their mental well-being and social interactions.

Despite the challenges, young carers demonstrate remarkable resilience, empathy, and maturity. They take on the responsibilities out of love and a strong sense of family duty. However, it is essential to recognise that being a young carer can also have an impact on their own well-being and development. Providing support and resources for young carers, such as respite care, counseling services, and educational support, can be crucial in helping them manage their caregiving roles while also allowing them to have a fulfilling childhood and future.

Video from BBC London

Support For Young Carers

Advice and support is available specifically for young carers under 18.Under new laws (Children and Families Act and Care Act 2014), the local authority is required to identify if there are any children within a family where an adult member of the family has care and support needs. The local authority should identify if the child is a young carer, and if the child is providing inappropriate care for an adult.

Young carers under 18 years are entitled to a young carers assessment to identify any support needs. Where a young carer is likely to have needs upon reaching the age of 18 – thus moving from Children’s Services to Adult Services - they are also entitled to a Carers Assessment.

A young carer is a child or young person whose life is affected by being involved in caring for a family member with a disability, mental ill health, chronic illness or dependency on drugs or alcohol.

Barnardo's provides specialist support to young carers aged 5 to 18. The service provides specialist support for each child, including:

advocacy
advice
information
signposting to other agencies that can help

How to make a referral

Please contact Barnardo’s Action with Young Carers Wirral for a referral form:

Barnardo's Action With Young Carers Wirral
The Lauries
142 Claughton Road
Birkenhead
Wirral
CH41 6EY

Once this is received, we can begin the assessment process and put an appropriate support plan in place.

Further Support

Response Counselling Service

The Response counselling service works with young people aged 13-18. It is a free confidential service working with young people with moderate to severe issues which include suicide ideation, self harming, depression, high levels of anxiety bereavement etc.

Tel: 01516664123

Health Services in Schools Youth Workers

HSIS Youth Workers support young people in Wirral Secondary Schools, Wirral Sixth Form College and Wirral Met College.

Each school/college has a designated HSIS Youth Worker that provides young people with an opportunity to access confidential support on any issues which may be affecting them.

We provide support to young people on a wide range of issues and topics such as: building resilience, reducing risks, healthy relationships, sexual Health (including issuing condoms in some schools) drugs, alcohol, emotional health, Stress and Anxiety.

To find your youth worker visit their page.

HATCH

Hatch provide 1-1 sessions to help develop a range of skills and strategies that can have a positive impact on your mental health and wellbeing. Our volunteer mentors support you to complete a computerised CBT skills intervention that explores which things work best for you. CBT stands for Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, which sounds pretty intimidating! What it actually means is learning a way of thinking that helps us face tough times in a positive way!

Tel: 07518330949

Email: info@hatchmerseyside.co.uk

Open Door Charity

If you are aged 17 - 30, you can become a member and then access as many of our services as you like, including Creative Therapeutic Support if you are feeling down, low, stressed or anxious, numerous different activities within music and the arts, unique training and volunteering opportunities and much more. Membership is free, with no waiting lists.

theopendoorcentre.org

CAMHS Advice and Duty Line

www.mymind.org.uk

This site was created for young people, carers and professionals to pool together lots of helpful resources from across the internet.

24 hour mental health line 0800 145 6485 any age.

Action for Children (Counselling)

Best start in life

We know how important the early years are - and we’re here to help. From parenting advice to education and early intervention, we focus on improving children’s life chances.

Good mental health

Everyone has ups and downs in life. Our mental and emotional well-being experts work with families and schools to make sure children and parents feel able to cope with challenges when they arise.

A safe and loving home

We make sure more children feel part of a family that cares for them. We find homes for those without, protect children who have been abused or neglected, and help ensure young carers don’t miss out on a childhood.

actionforchildren.org.uk

KOOTH.com

Free, safe and anonymous online support for young people

Monday – Friday 12pm – 10pm

Saturday – Sunday 6pm – 10pm

kooth.com

SHOUT

Shout is an affiliate of Crisis Text Line® in the UK that provides free, confidential support, 24/7 via text. It’s the first free 24/7 texting service in the UK for anyone in crisis anytime, anywhere. Shout is available in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland

Text SHOUT to 85258 in the UK to text with a trained Crisis Volunteer

Text BLUE to 85258 to get resources and sign posting information.

Every texter is connected with a real-life human being trained to bring people from a hot moment to a cool calm place through active listening and collaborative problem-solving. All of our Crisis Volunteers donate their time to helping people in crisis.

YoungMinds Crisis Messenger

Provides free, 24/7 text support for young people across the UK experiencing a mental health crisis.

All texts are answered by trained volunteers, with support from experienced clinical supervisors.

Texts are free from EE, O2, Vodafone, 3, Virgin Mobile, BT Mobile, GiffGaff, Tesco Mobile and Telecom Plus.

Texts can be anonymous, but if the volunteer believes you are at immediate risk of harm, they may share your details with people who can provide support.

Text: YM to 85258

Opening times: 24/7