Its survey of more than 1,300 young people found 12 per cent of seven- to 19-year-olds were looking after someone with an illness, disability or health problem. This corresponds to more than one million people whereas the last census put the figure at around 225,000.
"We always suspected that the census under-represented the situation as so many young people and parents keep their difficulties secret," said Alex Fox, the organisation's young carers' co-ordinator. "There needs to be more awareness of the problem among local authorities."
Fox saw a danger that children's trusts, while strengthening links between children's services, could widen the gap with adult care. As it was often impossible to separate the needs of parents and children, he said it was vital for these services to work together.
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