New research has suggested that young carers spend an average of 25 hours a week caring for their loved ones.
Action for Children in their recent report released on 17th February 2020, state that their unpaid work equates to £12,000 a year on a part-time carers wage.
The report (Action For Children 2020) shows the large scale of responsibility young carers have. For a young carer aged 7-18 this would add up to over £140,000 worth of free work. The charity describe the amount as “appalling” and are asking for action from the Government. They are calling for young carers to have access to a respite services. These services will include groups that give the young carers practical and emotional support they need to have a ‘safe and happy’ childhood.
In the report, the charity’s deputy chief executive, Carol Iddon says “People say things like ‘oh children need to do chores, it teaches them the value of growing up’ but this is not the same. This is all about young children taking on the responsibilities of an adult and that just should not be acceptable.”
In late 2014 the Government made amendments to the Children and Families Bill in order to help young carers. The Secretary of State for Education, Michael Gove, stated that this amendment will make significant changes to the legislation regarding young carers. “Through this amendment to the Children and Families Bill we believe we have arrived at a solution that will deliver 4 things.”
- The amendment will extend the right to an assessment of support needs to all young carers under 18, no matter who they care for. ( Children and Families Bill 2014). The purpose of the assessment is to identify the individual needs and how they affect the well-being of the young carer. It is also there in order to help authority i.e social services, in determining the services that should be provided.
- The bill will support local authority to combine the assessment of a young carer and the assessment of the person they care for. This would provide a co-coordinated and rounded package of support for the whole family.
- The law has also been simplified to make it clearer for young carers.
There have been no changes added to the bill since these amendments back in 2014. Charities such as Action for Children and Carers Trust are both campaigning for new rights to be added into the bill regarding respite services.
Former Children and families minister Edward Timpson said ” Young Carers are the unsung heroes of the care system, who selflessly provide around the clock support for the ones they love. Yet they often overlook their own needs. This is why we must put a system in place to help them live a full life.”
Ashley Bowen, 16, and from Rotherham, cares for his father Brian who suffers with mental illness. Ashley’s mother moved to Australia after getting divorced in 2016, and, with no grandparents as all have passed away. Ashley is left to care for his father.
“It is difficult seeing someone that was my rock growing up suffering this way. It’s horrible when you can’t really do anything to ease the pain.”
Ashley’s role consists of everyday care for Brian, who suffers from depression. “There is always something I have to do daily in order to care for my dad. Sometimes it’s so bad that he can’t get out of bed, so I have to support him in getting up, dressed and showered.”
Ashley will also ensure that his dad takes his prescribed medication and eats enough food. His father currently is unemployed due to his illness but has started attending therapy sessions in order to get better.
“It can be hard. I have to take on such an adult responsibility that I forget sometimes that I can go outside and be with my friends.”
Ashley recently applied for help within the Children and Families Act 2014 which states ‘A local authority in England must assess whether a young carer in their area needs help’.
In order to receive this, a social worker must visit in order to carry out a Young Carers Assessment. From this, they will then decide what help you and your family need. It will also determine whether it is appropriate for you to be a carer and also considers whether or not you want to care.
“At first I was terrified of someone coming over to assess me.” Ashley says “The woman who was carrying out the assessment was very kind and explained everything that was going to happen and what questions she was going to ask. I felt very comfortable the whole time.”
You can find your local social services here.
“When the results came back I was a bit nervous as to what they were going to say but it was great. They told me as I was 16 I was able to claim a carers allowance. It took a weight off knowing we could have a bit more money to get my dad some help. As I had just come out of full-time education they also offered me advice on how to get a job. I would really recommend getting an assessment, it highlights what help we may actually need as Young Carers.
You will receive a written record of the events and also whether your council believes you are eligible for support, and what they can offer you.
You can claim a carer’s allowance, if you are 16 and over, and care for someone for over 35 hours a week. Check your eligibility on the government website here.
Young Carers Community 