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01/09/2004
Survey claims Britain has a million child carers
The numbers of young people in Britain acting as carers is more than four times higher than has been suggested by recent census reports, according to a survey commissioned by The Princess Royal Trust for Carers.
The survey of over 1,300 young people found that 12% of 7-19 year olds were looking after someone with an illness, disability or health problem who could not manage alone. This would correspond to over a million people aged up to 19 in Great Britain, which is dramatically higher that the census which found that around 225,000 people up to 19 in the UK are looking after someone with an illness, disability or other health problems.
Alex Fox, Young Carers Development Coordinator, said that this was the first time a national survey has been conducted where young people themselves were asked about their caring situation.
The census was filled in by parents of young people, who may not necessarily admit that their child is looking after them or taking on a caring role for a brother or sister, the trust said.
“From our experience of working directly with thousands of young carers and their families, we thought the census under-represented the number of young carers, and this survey adds weight to this theory. We believe that only a tiny percentage of young carers are getting the help they need,” Mr Fox said.
“More detailed research needs to be done, but these figures should be a wake-up call for those Local Authorities who ignore the needs of young people who look after someone. Agencies that support adults often have not considered to what extent the support package they have put in place relies on the hidden caring of a child. If they asked the adults that they support a few simple questions that could change.”
Most young people take on some household tasks, but young carers take on substantial caring tasks such as personal care for a physically disabled adult, making sure a sibling who has a learning disability plays safely, or staying in to be there for a parent who misuses substances or has a mental illness. In addition, many young carers carry out household chores and look after younger brothers and sisters.
The Princess Royal Trust for Carers has launched a new website today www.youngcarers.net which provides information and advice for young carers and professionals.
(gmcg/sp)
The survey of over 1,300 young people found that 12% of 7-19 year olds were looking after someone with an illness, disability or health problem who could not manage alone. This would correspond to over a million people aged up to 19 in Great Britain, which is dramatically higher that the census which found that around 225,000 people up to 19 in the UK are looking after someone with an illness, disability or other health problems.
Alex Fox, Young Carers Development Coordinator, said that this was the first time a national survey has been conducted where young people themselves were asked about their caring situation.
The census was filled in by parents of young people, who may not necessarily admit that their child is looking after them or taking on a caring role for a brother or sister, the trust said.
“From our experience of working directly with thousands of young carers and their families, we thought the census under-represented the number of young carers, and this survey adds weight to this theory. We believe that only a tiny percentage of young carers are getting the help they need,” Mr Fox said.
“More detailed research needs to be done, but these figures should be a wake-up call for those Local Authorities who ignore the needs of young people who look after someone. Agencies that support adults often have not considered to what extent the support package they have put in place relies on the hidden caring of a child. If they asked the adults that they support a few simple questions that could change.”
Most young people take on some household tasks, but young carers take on substantial caring tasks such as personal care for a physically disabled adult, making sure a sibling who has a learning disability plays safely, or staying in to be there for a parent who misuses substances or has a mental illness. In addition, many young carers carry out household chores and look after younger brothers and sisters.
The Princess Royal Trust for Carers has launched a new website today www.youngcarers.net which provides information and advice for young carers and professionals.
(gmcg/sp)
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Up to 700,000 children could be acting as carers for members of their families, more than four times the previous official estimate. A survey of over 4,000 secondary school pupils across the UK for BBC News suggested that 8% of them – around one in 12 – had moderate or high levels of care responsibilities.
05 December 2003
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Carers are to get better information about vital services thanks to new information leaflets. Produced by Carers UK and funded by the Department of Health and British Gas, the leaflets provide information to all carers on rights, benefits and breaks in a clear format.
Better information provided for carers in UK
Carers are to get better information about vital services thanks to new information leaflets. Produced by Carers UK and funded by the Department of Health and British Gas, the leaflets provide information to all carers on rights, benefits and breaks in a clear format.
29 August 2008
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Around six million people in Britain who are looking after sick and elderly relatives are not receiving adequate financial support, a new report has revealed. The Work and Pensions Select Committee today published the report entitled 'Valuing and Supporting Carers'.
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People who give up work to become carers are losing out on £746 million in benefits, according to a report. Charity group Carers UK said that older carers were particularly hard hit.
Carers losing out on £746m in benefits
People who give up work to become carers are losing out on £746 million in benefits, according to a report. Charity group Carers UK said that older carers were particularly hard hit.
14 October 2010
£4 Million Boost For Carers
A raft of new measures that will help support carers were unveiled by Care Services Minister Paul Burstow today. More than £4 million will be reinvested in a range of projects from training schemes for health and social care workers to access better information.
£4 Million Boost For Carers
A raft of new measures that will help support carers were unveiled by Care Services Minister Paul Burstow today. More than £4 million will be reinvested in a range of projects from training schemes for health and social care workers to access better information.
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