The following information comes directly from the NHS. If you would like more information about young carers please visit their website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/social-care-and-support-guide/support-and-benefits-for-carers/being-a-young-carer-your-rights/
You’re a young carer if you’re under 18 and help to look after a relative with a disability, illness, mental health condition, or drug or alcohol problem. If you’re a young carer, you probably look after one of your parents or care for a brother or sister. You may do extra jobs in and around the home, such as cooking, cleaning or helping someone get dressed and move around. You may also give a lot of physical help to a parent, brother or sister who’s disabled or ill. Along with doing things to help your brother or sister, you may be giving them and your parents emotional support, too.
If you or your parents request it, a social worker from your local council must visit to carry out a young carer’s assessment.
This assessment is different from the one adult carers have. It’ll decide what kind of help you and your family might need.
Even if the council has already carried out one of these assessments, they must do another if you or your parents feel that your needs or circumstances have changed.
A young carer’s assessment can determine whether it’s appropriate for you to care for someone else, and takes into account whether you want to be a carer.
The social worker must also look at your education, training, leisure opportunities and views about your future.
As part of the assessment, the social worker must ask about your wishes and involve you, your parents and anyone else you or your parents want to be involved.
All these people should receive a written record of the assessment. This will include whether the council thinks you need support, whether their services could provide you with it, and whether they’ll give you it.
It should also explain what you can do if you or your parents disagree with the assessment.
If you and the person you care for both agree, the local council can assess your needs as a young carer and the needs of the person you care for at the same time.
If you’re 16 or over and not in full-time education, you may be eligible for help finding work, as well as with your family’s finances (for instance, through benefits such as Carer’s Allowance).
For advice and support with care issues, call the Carers Direct helpline on 0300 123 1053.
You can also talk to the school office who will put you in touch with the appropriate member of staff to support you.
Peartree Spring Primary School
Hydean Way
Stevenage
Herts
SG2 9GG
© 2021 Peartree Spring Primary School
