If you help to look after someone at home, you have rights.

Every young carer has…

The right to be recognised as a carer

Under the Children and Families Act 2014, every local council has a duty to ‘identify the extent to which there are young carers within their area who have needs for support’. To help them do this, Sheffield City Council are developing a Young Carers Register so that they know who the young carers in Sheffield are. The register is designed to help the Council get young carers the support they need to be able to manage and do well in their own lives.

If you are a young carer and you would like more information about the Young Carers Register in Sheffield, please get in touch using our short form.

Our top tip: It’s not easy telling people that you are a young carer or that you need some help. Try talking to a trusted adult like a friend, neighbour, or someone at your school, college or place of work. It could make a really big difference and help you to get the support that you need.

The right to receive support

The Children and Families Act 2014 gives young carers and young adult carers in England a right to a carer's assessment and to have their needs met (if the assessment shows that they need support).

Follow this link to find out how to request a Young Carer’s Assessment for you, or a young carer you know.

Our top tip: If you are a young carer, or if you are working with a young carer, you can find out more about our services and make a referral here. [Please note that we currently have a waiting list of around eight months (unless a condition is terminal) but there is lots of information about other organisations and websites that can help you on our website too.]

The right to take a break

It can be really hard looking after someone at home. Everyone needs a break from time to time, not least young carers.

At SYC, we offer a wide range of support to young carers to help them take a break from their caring, including confidential listening and advice sessions and regular group activities with other young carers. Follow these links to find out more about the support that we offer to young people or to make a referral for yourself or for a young person you are working with.

If you would prefer, you can apply to the Young Carers Activity Fund for up to £300 to get a break from your caring.

Our top tip: Organisations that support young carers (e.g. schools and colleges) can apply to the Young Carers Activity Fund too, either for a group activity or for a £20 e-voucher for each young carer they are working with.

Know your rights!

To find out more about young carers’ and young adult carers’ rights, download Carers Trust’s useful guide, ‘Know Your Rights’.