This week is National Carers Week, and the importance of carers' healthand emotional wellbeing is highlighted because caring for loved ones canbe a difficult experience - especially for children.
The average age of a young carer is 12, and evidence shows that caringimpacts not only on the quality of childhood but on social andeducational development. Some young carers are missing school lessonsand being bullied is common. Many worry about asking for help and feelreticent about discussing their family. As a result, their situationoften goes unnoticed.
Identifying and supporting young carers can therefore bechallenging.
This can also be exacerbated by communication difficulties betweenagencies such as local authorities, schools, health services and adultand children's services. The luckier ones have access to local youngcarer projects that provide activities and support most children takefor granted. However, these often aren't available and funding can be anissue.
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