Following years of work by campaigners, young carers are in line to receive statutory help and support after an amendment to the Children and Families Bill.
The change means all young carers under the age of 18 will be entitled to an assessment of their support needs. However, local authorities and other agencies still have much to do if the spirit of the legislation is to be translated into action on the ground.
Identification
An immediate issue they will face is determining exactly who is eligible for assessment, and potential support. Although the widely quoted estimate is that there are 160,000, it is believed that could represent just the tip of the iceberg. The truth is that nobody knows exactly how many young carers there are. Many do not seek help for fear of contact with social services and being taken into care.
Register Now to Continue Reading
Thank you for visiting Children & Young People Now and making use of our archive of more than 60,000 expert features, topics hubs, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:
What's Included
-
Free access to 4 subscriber-only articles per month
-
Email newsletter providing advice and guidance across the sector
Already have an account? Sign in here
