What about young carers?
Young carers are people under the age of 18 who provide care and support to someone close to them – often a family member – who may be living with an illness, disability, mental health challenge, or substance misuse issue. While this person is often a part of the same household, young carers may also support someone they see regularly, even if they don’t live together.
A young adult carer is someone aged between 18 and 25 who provides support to someone, often they are continuing a caring role from childhood, but they may also be taking on this responsibility for the first time as a young adult.
Young carers/ young adult carers may be supporting a number of different family members in a variety of ways and the young person may find that, as a result of the family member’s condition, their own daily activities, or the support available to them, are affected. While there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ summary of the support a young carer may provide, a young caring role often involves taking on responsibilities or tasks typically carried out by an adult or considered inappropriate for their age.
The types of responsibilities a young carer or young adult carer may take on include:
- Practical care – Domestic chores, managing money, looking after siblings, locking up the house
- Physical care – Lifting, pushing a wheelchair, helping with stairs, exercises or using equipment
- Medical care – Administering medication or injections, organising/attending appointments
- Personal/intimate care – Washing, dressing, feeding, toileting
- Emotional care – Listening to/supporting the cared for person, comforting or being present.