Child Carers: Their Rights Under the Law
It is estimated that for every five people in Britain, three will at some point during their lives operate a caring role for another person. Often, if one or both parents of a child suffer from a disability or illness, it can be left to the child to adopt the caring role.
The Role Of Young Carers
Young carers don’t just look after parents – they may also look after a brother or sister who has a disability or illness. Needs vary as much as symptoms: physical disabilities, mental disorders, to drug or alcohol addiction. Although young carers often like to help out, they often do more of the household chores and other tasks that non-carer children may not ordinarily do.
Types Of Responsibility
Children caring for others find themselves doing a wide range of household and day to day tasks. These can involve paying the bills, doing food shopping, managing money, washing, cooking and cleaning the house. They may also need to help their parent dress, wash, go to the toilet or administer medicine. However, if a child is not comfortable with doing a type of activity they should ask a social worker for help – as they may be able to find someone to help out with certain tasks.Help Available for Young Carers
Young carers, more than any other type of carer, need to be understood, supported and where necessary helped to cope with the extra burdens on them. There is a substantial amount of help available for young carers, and all local authorities should ensure that young carers obtain the same level of education, development and general wellbeing is not affected by their caring responsibilities.If a child feels stressed, is struggling to cope, or simply needs someone to talk to it is important to ask for help as soon as possible. The good news is that no matter where you live, there’s likely to be help nearby.
Young Carers Projects
There are many Young Carers Projects around the country, which offer a wide range of help and services to young carers. They can offer evening clubs, days out and weekends away, as well as holidays – which gives both the parent as well as the young carer a rest. As well as offering advice and information for the whole family, Young Carers Projects provide a specific source of support for young carers – a friend and mentor to help and support them whenever they need it.
The Health Service
If a child wants to talk to someone in confidence, doctors and school nurses are bound by a duty of confidentiality. The only exception to this is if they believe that you may be in danger. Generally though, if a child is making enquiries about his or her own health, it is assumed that they are mature enough to have the information they disclose confidential. NHS Direct offers a helpline service for which children do not have to disclose their names or other personal details. NHS Direct is on 0845 4647.If a young carer is suffering from stress, anxiety or just wants to talk through some of their problems it may be worth contacting the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) to see if they can provide a counsellor. Childline offers support and a listening ear for children and young people, and can be contacted on 0800 1111.
Youth & Social Workers
Charities like Connexions (England) provide help, guidance and advice to young people, including young carers. Connexions also advises young people about their heath, relationships, and education. Social workers can also help young carers to obtain assistance with their caring duties, as well as finding more help for the person they are caring for.
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