Being a child or teenager should be a time of learning, playing, and shaping your future. But for thousands of young people across the UK, childhood looks very different. They are young carers, shouldering responsibilities far beyond their years, and facing pressures that can have a devastating impact on their lives.
As we recognise Young Carers Action Day, it's crucial to spotlight the often-unseen challenges faced by young people who provide care for family members. Below, we’ll delve into these realities and highlight the support they urgently need, providing guidance for positive change.
What does it mean to be a young carer?
A young carer is someone under 18 who provides unpaid care for a family member or friend who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, or addiction. This can involve anything from practical tasks like cooking, cleaning, and shopping, to personal care like washing and dressing, and even emotional support.
Imagine a 14-year-old regularly administering medication, or a 16-year-old providing round-the-clock emotional support to a parent struggling with mental health. These are not hypothetical scenarios; they are the realities faced by countless young people in the UK.
The toll on physical, emotional, and mental health
The burden of care can take a significant toll. Physically, young carers may experience fatigue, exhaustion, and even injuries from lifting or assisting their loved one. Emotionally, they may feel isolated, anxious, and stressed. The constant worry and responsibility can lead to mental health problems like depression and anxiety.
A 2020 report by Carers Trust found that 40% of young carers reported having a mental health problem, compared to 25% of young people without caring responsibilities. This highlights the severe impact caring has on their wellbeing.
With mental health support being identified as the key driver for 84% of UK jobseekers thinking about future employment, employers need to ensure the right resources are in place to prioritise wellbeing. However, only four in 10 (39%) told us that their employer has made changes to their policies which are aligned with their expectations regarding wellbeing support.
Education under pressure
The demands of caring can significantly impact a young person's education. They may struggle to attend school regularly, complete homework, or concentrate in class. The lack of time for social activities and extracurriculars can also lead to feelings of isolation and exclusion.
Research from the University of Nottingham, in partnership with The Children’s Society, revealed that young carers are more likely to miss school and achieve lower grades than their peers. This can have long-term consequences for their future opportunities. The same report also showed that young carers are four times more likely to miss school or college due to their caring role.
Recent statistics and research
The latest figures from the UK government estimate that there are around 800,000 young carers in England and Wales. However, many experts believe this is an underestimate, as many young people are reluctant to identify themselves as carers.
- Loneliness and Isolation: A study of 55,000 people by the BBC in 2023 highlighted the intense loneliness felt by many young carers, with many feeling they had no one to talk to about their struggles.
- Financial Strain: Many young carers come from low-income households, and their caring responsibilities can exacerbate financial difficulties. This can lead to further stress and anxiety.
- Lack of Recognition: Often, young carers feel their contributions are overlooked and undervalued. This lack of recognition can further isolate them and make them feel invisible.
What needs to change?
It is crucial that young carers receive the support they need. This includes:
- Early identification and assessment: Schools, GPs, and social services need to be better at identifying young carers and assessing their needs.
- Academic intervention: Schools can work with providers to offer young carers flexible and ongoing support to ensure their learning needs can be met without affecting the care they are providing to family members who rely on their support.
- Access to respite care: Young carers need regular breaks from their caring responsibilities to recharge and focus on their own lives.
- Emotional support and counselling: Young carers need access to mental health services to help them cope with the emotional challenges they face.
- Financial support: Financial assistance can help alleviate the financial strain on young carers and their families.
- Increased awareness: Raising awareness of the challenges faced by young carers is crucial to ensure they receive the support they need.
This Young Action Carers Day, we acknowledge the significant challenges faced by young carers in maintaining their academic progress. Young carers are not just children; they are heroes. But they shouldn't have to be. We must do more to support them, to ensure they have the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential. It is our collective responsibility to ensure that no young person is burdened with a level of care that deprives them of their childhood.
While we face a significant shortage of skilled care workers, it’s important not to let young carers slip through the cracks of an already stretched education system. Find out more about how Randstad Education can provide targeted and meaningful intervention and tuition strategies to help close the gap and give these selfless young people the best opportunity to close the gap with their friends and peers: