Majority of young carers take time off school
Gabriella Jozwiak
Thursday, January 26, 2017
Almost three quarters of young carers are taking time off from school or education in order to care for a family member, a study has found.
A survey of more than 300 carers aged 16 to 24 by charity Carers Trust found 73 per cent took time off learning, while a third admitted to skipping school most weeks.
More than half (53 per cent) admitted to having problems coping with schoolwork, while 60 per cent said they struggled to meet deadlines.
Carers Trust chief executive Gail Scott-Spicer said lack of support and guidance for young carers was putting their future ambitions at risk.
"We know young carers miss or cut short on average 10 weeks of school a year as a direct result of their caring role, and those aged between 16 and 18 are twice as likely to be not in education, employment or training," she said.
"We must make sure young carers get the support they need so they can enjoy their childhoods like any other young person and achieve their ambitions."
One female young carer commented that her responsibilities had caused her to underachieve in her studies.
"I wanted to be like everyone else and go to university, but I suffered a breakdown, and only achieved the lowest grade in my degree," she said.
"I haven't gone back to live [at home] as it is no good for my mental health but [my parents'] struggle is far greater now which brings me a lot of guilt."
Richard Watts, chair of the Local Government Association's children and young people board said councils need help from community members to identify and support young carers.
"Good relationships between councils, schools, the NHS and other organisations are crucial to making sure that children are referred as quickly as possible and get the support they need to help them live their lives to the fullest," he said.
Carers Trust carried out the research to mark Young Carers Awareness Day on 26 January 2017.
Commenting on the occasion, health and care minister David Mowat said a national carers strategy to be launched this year would facilitate health and wellbeing for all carers.
"It will recognise that truly effective support can only happen when we reach beyond health and care services into schools, workplaces and community centres," said Mowat.
The government is currently reviewing feedback to a carers strategy consultation, which closed in July 2016.
Carers Trust estimates there are 700,000 young carers in the UK.
