Young Carers: Guidance for Safeguarding Professionals

Definition of a Young Carer

A young carer is a person under 18 who provides, or intends to provide, care for another person who is ill, disabled, has a mental health condition, or misuses substances. This care can include practical help, personal care, and emotional support. The definition excludes care provided under a contract or as voluntary work.
Legal reference: Children and Families Act 2014, Section 96 and Care Act 2014.

How to Identify a Young Carer

Young carers often go unrecognised. Indicators may include:

  • Frequent school absences or lateness.
  • Tiredness, poor concentration, or falling asleep in class.
  • Anxiety about family members’ health.
  • Taking on adult responsibilities at home (e.g., cooking, cleaning, administering medication).
  • Social isolation or difficulty maintaining friendships.

Professionals should ask open questions during assessments and consider the whole family approach.

What Type of Care Can a Young Carer Provide?

  • Personal care: washing, dressing, toileting.
  • Practical tasks: cooking, cleaning, shopping.
  • Emotional support: comforting a parent or sibling.
  • Medical tasks: giving medication, attending appointments.
  • Supervision: looking after siblings or vulnerable family members.

Impact on Children

Being a young carer can affect:

  • Physical health: fatigue, poor nutrition.
  • Emotional wellbeing: stress, anxiety, depression.
  • Mental health: increased risk of self-harm and isolation.
  • Social development: limited friendships and leisure time.
  • Education: missed school, lower attainment, reduced future opportunities.

Research shows young carers are more likely to experience poor mental health and educational disadvantage.
Source: NSPCC and Carers Trust reports.

What the Law Says

  • Children and Families Act 2014: All young carers under 18 have the right to a Young Carer’s Needs Assessment, regardless of who they care for or how often.
  • Care Act 2014: Requires local authorities to consider the needs of young carers during adult care assessments and provide a whole-family approach.
  • Local authorities must identify, assess, and support young carers proactively.

Duties and Responsibilities of Professionals

Professionals must:

  • Identify young carers early.
  • Assess their needs using the Young Carer’s Assessment.
  • Support by coordinating services to reduce inappropriate caring roles.
  • Consider education, health, and wellbeing in all assessments.
  • Share information lawfully and promptly with relevant agencies.

Transitions and Young Carers

Transition to adulthood is a critical time. Support must not “fall away” when a young carer turns 18.
Transition assessments should:

  • Prepare for changes in education, employment, and care arrangements.
  • Align with adult services under the Care Act 2014.

Referral Process in South Tyneside

  • Identify the young carer and discuss the service with the family.
  • Complete a referral form for South Tyneside Young Carers Service (Humankind/TEN).
  • Send referral to:
    Email: admin@styoungcarers.org.uk or styc@humankindcharity.org.uk
    Phone: 0191 427 2795 or 07387 109 388
    Website: South Tyneside Young Carers
  • MASH contact for safeguarding concerns:
    Office hours: 0191 424 5010 | Out of hours: 0191 456 2093
    Report a Concern

Support Available in South Tyneside

  • Young Carers Project (TEN & Humankind):
    • One-to-one support, respite activities, advocacy, and family support.
    • Recreational and residential breaks, after-school clubs, holiday activities.
  • Family Hubs & Early Help Team:
    Phone: 0800 783 4645 | Email: familyhubs@southtyneside.gov.uk
  • Mental Health Support: CAMHS and Healthy Minds Team.
  • Young Carer ID Card: Provides recognition and access to support.

Policies and Links

 

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