Young carers are children and young people who care for a parent or sibling with a long-term illness or disability.

Types of caring

The tasks undertaken by children and young people vary according to the nature of the illness or disability, as well as the level and frequency of need for care and the structure of the family unit.

A young carer may undertake some or all of the following:

■ Giving emotional support or worrying.
■ Practical tasks such as cooking, housework and shopping.
■ Managing the family budget, collecting benefits and prescriptions.
■ Physical care such as lifting.
■ Personal care such as dressing, washing, helping with toileting needs.
■ Giving medication
■ Looking after or “parenting” younger siblings.

Negative aspects of caring

■ There may be problems at school, with completing homework and getting qualifications.
■ Young carers can be isolated from other children of the same age and from other family members.
■ They may lack time for play, leisure, or sport.
■ They may get a lack of recognition, praise or respect from others.
■ They may feel that there is nobody there for them and that professionals do not listen to them.
■ They may develop their own health problems as a result of caring; physically or emotionally.
■ They may feel that they are different from other children.
■ They may feel that no one else understands their experiences.
■ They may have problems moving into adulthood, especially with finding work, living on their own and establishing relationships.
■ They may experience conflicting emotions, such as loving the cared-for person while resenting the burden of care; being proud of what they do as carers while resisting the restrictions made on their young lives. This may lead to the young person feeling guilty or confused and perhaps further isolated from their peer group.

Inappropriate caring can impact upon the young carer’s own well-being and put them in need of support from health and social care services.

Positive aspects of caring

■ It is important to note that young carers do not necessarily dwell on the negative impacts of caring. They may welcome the sense of pride they feel about their caring role and achievements. They may also benefit from a close family environment that is supportive and caring of each other.
■ The experience of being a young carer has some positive elements. Young carers can be highly self-motivated multi-taskers, coping with and achieving at school whilst also undertaking a caring role.
■ However, it is important that recognition of the positive impacts of care does not inadvertently encourage the continuation of inappropriate care taking place or lead to the caring becoming a cause for celebration and not action.
■ A young carer’s ability to cope and achieve must not be
used to mask their need for support.