CouncilYoung carers
Services for young carers
Children and young people under 18 who have caring responsibilities are often referred to as 'young carers'. These are young people whose lives are restricted in some way because they are supporting or taking responsibility for care of a person who is ill, has a disability or mental illness or misuses a substance. The majority of young carers are from single parent families and take on adult responsibilities.
Not every young person who has a parent, sibling or grandparent who is ill or disabled is a young carer, but of those young people who are taking on extra responsibilities, recent research has shown that:
- One quarter are missing school or have difficulties with lateness, no time to do homework or have other problems
- Twelve per cent of young carers are caring for more than one person
- More than half are providing care for their mother and one third for their brothers or sisters.
Young Carers will usually need support from Adults, Health and Well-being Services or Children's Social Care Services. They will assess the support needs of the adult or sibling child they care for and ensure that those needs are met by paid services as far as is possible, so that the Young Carer has to do as little as possible for that person. They may also need support from Children's Services in their own right as a "child in need" of extra support.
Young Carers Project
In Tower Hamlets there is a Young Carers Project where young carers can get advice, information and support. This is based at the Princess Royal Trust Carers Centre at 21, Brayford Square, Stepney, London E1 0SG.
Telephone number for enquiries or referrals: 020 7790 1765. Anyone can ring this number and make a referral, including a child themselves. Alternatively they can e-mail ycenquiries@carerscentretowerhamlets.org.uk
- The Young Carers project provides support during term time after school for 8-18 year olds as follows;
- Monday Bengali girls group 13-18 years (6-8pm)
- Tuesday 8-12 year olds (5-6.30pm)
- Wednesday 13-18 year olds (6-8pm)
It also provides individual support to access services, homework support, support to apply for individual grants, and help with finding work.
During half term, summer holidays and Christmas the project provides a programme of activities and trips.
More information about the Young Carers Project
Carers Connect Project
There is also the Carers Connect Project which supports young Carers living with someone who has mental health problems and their families. It is run by the Family Welfare Association based at 22-28 Underwood Road, London E1 5AW.
Telephone number for enquiries or referrals: 020 7364 3491
This project supports Young Carers by:
- relieving some of the responsibilities of their caring role by supporting and empowering their whole family
- giving them someone to talk to about their caring role and any worries
- Organizing special events and outings for different age groups of young Carers during school holidays and half-terms. This includes visiting museums, cinemas, parks and participating in activities such as rock climbing, ice skating, canoeing and other sports
- providing guidance and advice on a range of issues including mental health conditions, Carers' rights, education/training, benefits and employment
- referring them on to other services and sources of support as required
The aim is to give young carers and their families some relief from the pressures they face and, through our programme of outings and events, to give them opportunities to meet and make friends with other children in similar circumstances.
