Sector appeals for young carers to be spared cuts
Stuart Derrick
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
The children's sector is calling on the government to resist cutting support to 700,000 young people who care for members of their families.
Research by the BBC published today (16 November) estimates that more than four times as many young people act as carers compared with the previous official estimate of 175,000 in the 2001 census.
A survey of more than 4,000 secondary school pupils found that eight per cent had moderate or high levels of care responsibilities. This includes such intimate care as helping somebody dress, undress and wash.
Jan Leightley, strategic director of children’s services at Action for Children, said the research confirmed that there were large numbers of young people who needed help and support. "Now that the magnitude of this problem has been identified we urge local authorities not to reduce support for this vulnerable group of youngsters."
The National Young Carers’ Coalition, which represents such organisations as The Children’s Society, Barnardo’s and the Disabled Parents Network, stated that the figure of 700,000 was probably an underestimate of actual numbers of young carers.
It called on national and local government across the UK not to cut funding for services that support young carers and their families. "With cuts to local services, social workers and health professionals will be less able to act preventatively, and will be forced instead to support those young carers, and their families, who are already in crisis and who are already entrenched in inappropriate caring roles," it said.
The children’s commissioners of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland called on the UK government and devolved administration to ensure that statutory bodies properly identify and meet the needs of this vulnerable group.
A joint statement from the commissioners said: "For young carers who are still at school, poor or uncoordinated support from the statutory sector can result in them missing out on the opportunities enjoyed by other children which can blight their life chances as adults."
Children’s minister Sarah Teather said the government’s new vision for carers, Capable Communities and Active Citizens, which launched today, made it clear that everyone working with young people, including GPs and teachers, must do more to indentify and support young carers.
The strategy, launched by the Department of Health, provides £400m funding for carers’ breaks with personal budgets extended to one million eligible people by 2013.
A survey of more than 4,000 secondary school pupils found that eight per cent had moderate or high levels of care responsibilities. This includes such intimate care as helping somebody dress, undress and wash.
Jan Leightley, strategic director of children’s services at Action for Children, said the research confirmed that there were large numbers of young people who needed help and support. "Now that the magnitude of this problem has been identified we urge local authorities not to reduce support for this vulnerable group of youngsters."
The National Young Carers’ Coalition, which represents such organisations as The Children’s Society, Barnardo’s and the Disabled Parents Network, stated that the figure of 700,000 was probably an underestimate of actual numbers of young carers.
It called on national and local government across the UK not to cut funding for services that support young carers and their families. "With cuts to local services, social workers and health professionals will be less able to act preventatively, and will be forced instead to support those young carers, and their families, who are already in crisis and who are already entrenched in inappropriate caring roles," it said.
The children’s commissioners of England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland called on the UK government and devolved administration to ensure that statutory bodies properly identify and meet the needs of this vulnerable group.
A joint statement from the commissioners said: "For young carers who are still at school, poor or uncoordinated support from the statutory sector can result in them missing out on the opportunities enjoyed by other children which can blight their life chances as adults."
Children’s minister Sarah Teather said the government’s new vision for carers, Capable Communities and Active Citizens, which launched today, made it clear that everyone working with young people, including GPs and teachers, must do more to indentify and support young carers.
The strategy, launched by the Department of Health, provides £400m funding for carers’ breaks with personal budgets extended to one million eligible people by 2013.
