Carers from ages 5 to 18 are known as young carers and often take on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult. The tasks undertaken can vary according to the nature of the illness or disability, the level, and frequency of need for care and the structure of the family as a whole.

A young carer may do some or all of the following:

• Practical tasks, such as cooking, housework, and shopping.
• Physical care, such as lifting, helping a parent on stairs, or physiotherapy.
• Personal care, such as dressing, washing, helping with toileting needs.
• Managing the family budget, collecting benefits and prescriptions.
• Administering medication.
• Looking after or “parenting” younger siblings.
• Emotional support.
• Interpreting, due to a hearing or speech impairment or because English is not the family’s first language.
• Some young carers may undertake high levels of care, whereas for others it may be frequent low levels of care. Either can impact heavily on a child or young
  person

• We will arrange a time and place where we can meet up and talk about what your needs are.
• Speaking to us does not mean that you will be taken into care or that your parents will be in trouble. We are here to offer advice, support, and information for you and your family.
• All information you share with us is confidential (unless you are at risk of harm). This means that we won’t tell anyone like parents, teachers, social workers, or friends without talking to you about it first.
• We just need your parent or guardian to sign a consent form so that you will be able to come out with us.

• Give advice and support if you have any problems such as personal or health problems or bullying that you want to talk about in confidence.
• Organise free events and activities so you can get out and enjoy yourself and also meet other young carers who may be going through a similar experience to you.
• If you have problems with school, then we can talk to your school to help them understand your situation and become more flexible with school work and homework.
• Help you with any problems you may have with social services or health authorities.
• Give you information about the condition of the person you care for, what their medication does to them, and details of other organisations who can help and support you.
• If you have any special hobbies or interests we can try and arrange for you to continue with these.
• Organise young carers’ help groups which may help with feelings of low self-esteem, anxiety or lack of confidence