About Our Service
(Please share this information with the family you are referring.)
The Young Carers Project is part of Brighton & Hove Carers Hub, managed by The Carers Centre. We support young carers aged 5 to 17 who live in Brighton & Hove.
We define a young carer as a child or young person whose life is significantly affected by the physical health condition, mental health condition, disability or substance misuse of a close family member they live with or see regularly.
Eligibility
The cared-for person's condition must be formally diagnosed.
We cannot accept referrals where the cared-for person is:
- Awaiting assessment or diagnosis.
- On a diagnostic pathway without a confirmed diagnosis.
- In receipt of an EHCP without a formal medical diagnosis.
If you are working with a carer aged 18 or over caring for another adult, please use our adult carers referral form or call our team on 01273 746 222 to discuss.
Support Available
Depending on individual needs, support may include:
- One-to-one emotional support relating to the young person's caring role.
- Opportunities to meet and socialise with other young carers through groups and activities.
- Advocacy relating to issues connected to the caring role.
- Advice around making transitions in life and changes affecting the caring role.
- Workshops and information sessions to increase understanding of a relative's condition.
Please note: Following referral, a consent form will be requested from the family. We are unable to assess the young person's needs or offer support until this has been returned.
What We Ask of Referrers
Please:
- Send an email to young.carers@thecarerscentre.org (via a secure means) with an attachment of the Strengthening Families Assessment, Team Around the Family report or other relevant summary of the work the family have undertaken, where available.
- Obtain consent from the family for The Carers Centre and Brighton & Hove City Council to hold and process their information, in line with GDPR.
- Complete the referral form as fully as possible, particularly the section about the child or young person's views and experiences.
- Discuss the referral with the young person before submitting it, as engagement is much more likely when they understand why they are being referred.
Service Limitations
Please be aware that:
- We are unable to assess or provide support to a young person until a completed consent form has been received. Once a referral has been processed, an email will be sent to the family requesting consent. If a completed consent form is not received after three contact attempts, the referral will be closed.
- Our support is prioritised for individuals with substantial caring responsibilities or those significantly impacted by their caring role.
- We are unable to provide dedicated one-to-one support within group activities where a young person requires continuous additional supervision.
- We do not act as Lead Professional within multi-agency processes.
- We may not be the most appropriate service where there are multiple complex needs that fall outside our remit as a young carers service.
Thank you for making a referral to the Young Carers Project at The Carers Centre for Brighton & Hove. If you have any questions or would like to discuss something before making a referral, please email young.carers@thecarerscentre.org