If you help to look after someone in your family who is unwell, has a disability, mental health condition, or needs support for another reason, you may be a young carer.
You might help in lots of different ways. You may help around the home, look after brothers or sisters, provide emotional support, help someone get around, or take on other responsibilities.
Helping someone you care about can be an important part of family life. However, your caring role should not stop you from enjoying your childhood, doing well at school or college, spending time with friends, taking part in activities or looking after your own wellbeing.
A Young Carers Assessment gives you the chance to talk about what life is like for you.
Young Carers Assessments
Being a young carer can affect different parts of your life, including your wellbeing, education, friendships and the time you have for yourself.
A Young Carers Assessment is an opportunity to talk about the caring responsibilities you have, how these affect you, and what support could make things easier.
Young carers have a right to have their needs considered and to be listened to. An assessment is about understanding your individual situation and making sure you and your family have the right support in place.
Why have a Young Carers Assessment?
The assessment helps us understand:
- who you care for and the support you provide
- how often you provide care
- how caring affects your physical and emotional wellbeing
- whether caring affects school, college or training
- whether you have enough time for friends, hobbies, activities and yourself
- whether any of your caring responsibilities feel too much for you
- what you would like to change
- what support could help you and your family
Most importantly, your views, wishes and feelings should be heard.
You can talk about how much care you feel willing and able to provide. The assessment can also help identify whether some responsibilities could be reduced or supported in a different way.
Who is involved?
The young carer is at the heart of the assessment.
Depending on the young person’s circumstances, the assessment may also involve:
- their parent or carer
- other family members
- professionals who support the young person or family
- another person the young carer or their parent/carer would like to be involved
We want young carers to feel comfortable, listened to and involved throughout the process.
What happens during the assessment?
During the assessment, we will talk with you about your caring role and how it affects your life.
This may include looking at:
- the type of care and support you provide
- how much care you provide
- how your family currently manages
- how caring affects your wellbeing
- how caring affects your education and development
- whether any of your responsibilities are difficult or unsuitable for you
- what is important to you
- what you would like to be different
- what support you and your family may need
There are no right or wrong answers. We want to understand your experience.
Parents and Carers
If your child helps to care for you or another member of your family, they may be entitled to a Young Carers Assessment.
We understand that families support one another in many different ways. An assessment is not about blaming or judging anyone. It is an opportunity to understand the whole family situation and identify support that may reduce any pressure on your child and your family.
We will involve you and your child in conversations about their caring role, their wellbeing and any support that may be helpful.
You do not need to wait until things become difficult before asking for support.
