Participation and power: sharing stories safely. A toolkit to promote ethical and meaningful co-production with young carers

This toolkit is based on the findings of a study conducted by Hambling, Quinn and Bell, with the University of Gloucestershire, Gloucestershire Young Carers, and Sheffield Young Carers, funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation. The study aimed to learn more about best practice in co-production and co-delivery with young carers, building on work by Daniel Phelps (2017). Read more about the study here.

The toolkit aims to give practitioners tools and ideas for amplifying young carers’ voices, whilst ensuring that participation work is done as ethically and meaningfully as possible.

Stop the Clock: How can we prevent young carers undertaking inappropriate or excessive care?

This briefing provides new research evidence from young carers about the challenges they face, highlighting the need for four areas of policy action. The four policy actions include i) early identification of young carers; ii) support for young carers so no child cares alone; iii) reducing excessive and inappropriate care by children through better assessment and service provision and iv) developing effective processes to support young carers’ transitions to adulthood and independent lives.

Paul Blomfield MP's Big Conversation with Young Carers

In September 2016, SYC's Action Group prepared a brilliant report which they presented to Paul Blomfield MP at his 'Big Conversation for Young Carers'. He really listened to them and took their experiences and concerns on board, raising their questions in Parliament and linking us with the right services to take their ideas forward. He was so impressed and moved by them that he also agreed to become a patron of our charity. Great work Action Group!