Every local authority in the UK is being asked what they are doing to find young adult carers and let them know they have a right to information and support.
Carers Trust, the largest charity for carers, has written to all 433 local authorities to ask them what they are doing or plan to do to support carers between the ages of 14 and 25 who are providing unpaid care for their sick or disabled family member.
Their responses will be placed on a map for Carers Trust “On the Map” campaign, which is part of the charity’s commitment to identify and raise awareness of young adult carers and ensure they receive the help and support they need.
The Children and Families Act 2014 and the Care Act 2014 came into force on 1 April 2015 and stipulate that all local authorities must ensure that all young adult carers are identified in their area, so that they can receive an assessment and much-needed support.
Laura Bennett, Carers Trust Policy Manager for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers, said:
“Many young adult carers have never known what help is available to them, even though their caring role often has a negative impact on their education, their health and their life chances. We want to make sure that young adult carers are a priority for local authorities and that they are taking steps to help identify, assess and support them.
“The On the Map campaign will raise awareness of the action being taken across the UK to increase the number of young adult carers receiving information and support. We know that many areas are already providing support, such as Surrey County Council which is working with Action for Carers Surrey to help young adult carers find their way around local services and life in general, but in other areas there is still much to be done.”
According to the 2011 Census, there are 375,000 young adult carers in the UK but the true number remains unknown as many are still hidden or unidentified.
Chloe (21), a young adult carer herself, knows what a difference it makes to be identified and to get support.
“I went for three years without getting any help as a young adult carer. Once I was identified I got advice and support from a service in my area who really understood what I was going through.
“It only made a real difference when I was at college as I could not cope at home anymore and had to leave my family home. That’s when I finally got all the help that I needed. I still attended my local young adult carers support group where I felt just like any other young person.
“A lot of young adult carers don’t know what’s available or they’ve been let down by services in the past when they have needed them most. What they need is for the people who work for local services to understand who young adult carers are and to direct them to advice and carer services.”