Research by the charity Action for Children suggests hundreds of thousands of young carers in England and Wales could be unknown to local authorities and missing out on vital support.
It’s estimated there are around 800,000 young carers aged 11-16 in England alone1 who help care for a family member with an illness or disability.
But figures from 141 local authorities in England and Wales via a Freedom of Information request2 show 84,256 young carers under the age of 18 were registered3, illustrating just how many could be flying under the radar.
Action for Children provides services to support young carers across the UK, giving them a break from their responsibilities, a chance to have fun and socialise with other young people who understand what they’re going through.
The Freedom of Information data also revealed inconsistent levels of support for young carers. Of the local authorities in England and Wales that responded, 29 (21%) said they either had no additional provision for young carers during the school holidays, or that the only extra provision was via services available to other children, such as the government’s Holiday Activities Fund.
Some councils said they only funded staff posts for young carer services in their area, with all provision, trips and activities externally funded through things like grants, charity fundraising and donations. Others said they offered young carers support via things like discount cards for local leisure facilities and vouchers.
Research by Action for Children and the Carers Trust in 2023 revealed more than eight out of ten young carers feel lonely in the summer holidays,4 when their caring responsibilities often increase as they spend less time outside the home.
6-year-old Meghan attends Action for Children’s Young Carers in Pembrokeshire. She helps her parents look after her 12-year-old sister, Mia, who is autistic, has a learning disability, and is limited verbally. Their parents work opposite shifts as a nurse and a police officer, so Meghan’s support with Mia is invaluable. It can include tasks like getting her out of bed, supervising bathtime and playing games, as well as being an emotional support to Mia.
Meghan said, "I didn't realise I was a young carer until a couple of years ago, when my sister’s social worker brought it up. It can feel really lonely, especially when people don't understand.
“Summer holidays can be very hard. All my friends go off on holiday or are out and about the whole time. That just isn’t an option for me, and I can feel isolated at times.
“Everything I do has to relate back to my sister and her needs… A lot of the time for me it feels more like being a third parent rather than a sibling... like I am living her life before my own or instead of my own.
"Attending young carers has been a real lifeline to me. It feels like I can focus on myself without worrying about anything else.”
Paul Carberry, Chief Executive at Action for Children said: “We see firsthand in our services just how vital access to specialist support is for young carers.
“It gives them a break from their responsibilities, a chance to have fun and be a child, and to meet other young people in similar situations who understand what they’re going through.
“We also know the loneliness, anxiety and stress that can be placed on their shoulders, particularly during the long summer holidays when they’re not at school getting that social time out of the home.
“Services for young carers also give support workers an opportunity to spot problems early before they hit crisis point.
“The government must ensure councils have sufficient funding so that all young carers have access to these essential services.”
Cllr Arooj Shah, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, said:
“Supporting and improving the wellbeing and rights of young carers is a priority for councils, who work hard to make sure they can access the support they need while continuing to enjoy their childhoods and fulfil their full potential.
“Every young carer has a right to an assessment to find out if they need additional support, and councils will do all they can to provide this support where needs are identified.
“However, finding young carers is challenging as they are often isolated and hidden from view.
“With around 1,700 referrals to children’s social care services every day, councils continue to face mounting pressures providing vital support to children and young people. This high level of demand, alongside significant funding challenges, has severely stretched councils’ ability to provide the support needed to all carers.”
Image credit: iStock
