THE NATIONAL YOUTH AGENCY: YOUTHINFORMATION.COM LOOKS AT ... YOUNGCARERS

A young carer is defined as being a child or young person who is unable to enjoy a social life or perhaps even to participate fully in school because of his or her home circumstances. The relative they care for may be a parent or grandparent, brother or sister who has a disability, a serious illness or a mental health problem. The care they provide may range from basic household tasks including cooking meals and paying the bills to intimate care or it may be emotional support. It is estimated that approximately 51,000 young people are carers in the United Kingdom, 86 per cent of them are of school age.

Children and young people who care for a dependent relative may be experiencing their own difficulties. They may become ill themselves or they may find it harder to form well-adjusted social relationships. Young Carers are not always aware of where to go to for help, or even that they need help.

For more information visit the following organisation or the youthinformation.com page on Young Carers:

YOUNG CARERS INITIATIVE

Part of The Children's Society, the Young Carers Initiative aims to create a national focus for people who work to support young carers and their families across

England and the UK.

Web site: www.childrenssociety.org.uk/youngcarers

- Extracted from youthinformation.com, The NYA's online information toolkit for young people. For more information, contact Esther Cameron on 0116 285 3782 or visit the web site at www.youthinformation.co.