Young Carers

Young carers have the same rights as other carers under the NHS and Community Care Act 1990.

They can also be considered "children in need" under the Children's Act 1989 depending upon whether or not the local authority considers the child's caring role as preventing him/her from achieving or maintaining a reasonable standard of social opportunities and achieving full school attendance.

The number of young carers in the UK is in excess of 50,000.

What is a young carer?

A young carer is someone under the age of 18 who is the main carer for a sick or disabled parent or sibling.

Young carers face serious caring responsibilities. In addition to the daily tasks they complete for their parents such as housework, cooking and bathing, they live with the added pressure of school and, often, a lack of understanding from schoolmates.

The physical and emotional strain is sometimes too much - many skip school and suffer depression.

Northamptonshire Young Carers Service

This project offers young carers and their families support information and advice.

The service provides recreational respite, advocacy, a befriending service and therapeutic support to young people who have caring responsibilities for a relative with a long-term illness or disability.

The Young Carers Project is somewhere that young Carers can go for:

• Individual advice and support
• The opportunity to meet other Carers
• Regular trips and activities
• Newsletter
• A Young Carers Pack - contains helpful information on assessments and advice contacts.

To join the project please contact:

Further information

Young Carers Net provides information for young people under 18 who are looking after someone. For further information visit their website (see Related Links below)

Parents or Guardians wanting further information should contact the Adult Care Team.

Young people wanting further information should contact their local referral team.