About young carers

Young carers are children or young people who provide a substantial amount of care for someone at home, usually a relative or friend, who has a physical or mental illness, disability or substance misuse problem.

Young carers take on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult.

These children and young people are known as ‘young carers’ and we support them by offering one to one support, group activities, respite breaksholidays and support with education, employment and training.

Children and young people who look after someone and are taking on substantive caring roles don’t often know they are young carers because they have done it all their lives.

‘In Sheffield there are at least 2,000 young carers under the age of 16’ according to Sheffield First's Health and Well-being Partnership's 'Sheffield: a city where every carer matters - A joint strategy for transforming the lives of carers in Sheffield 2010 - 2013'

In addition to the young person’s primary caring role, families with a cared for adult may encounter additional problems linked to their illness which may include – becoming a single parent, low income or unemployment, debt, housing problems, substance or alcohol misuse, relationship difficulties, domestic violence, anxiety and isolation.

The impact of caring on a young person’s life

In addition to the problems families may encounter where an adult is receiving care from a young person, young carers lives may be affected by their caring role in a number of ways:

• Educationally – irregular attendance, poor timekeeping/punctuality, lack of concentration, difficulties in completing homework.
• Restricted training and employment choices – lack of time for personal development, poor flexibility in work practices.
• Emotionally – stress, worry, tiredness, depression, insecurity, anxiety.
• Social isolation – lack of access to/time for social activities, bullying and isolation from peers.
• Physically – injuries, strain.

The issues above, and their combined impact on young carers often result in young carers being marginalised and socially excluded. This may then lead to low educational and career aspirations, unemployment or low paid employment, relationship difficulties, isolation, mental health problems, substance misuse and criminal behaviour.