Young Carers are children and young people under the age of 18 who have someone in their home who needs care because they are ill or disabled.
The person they care for may be a parent, brother, sister, or another family member or friend. The care they give may be physical, emotional, or both.Young carers are often responsible for providing all sorts of health care such as checking medication has been taken.
Young carers may also be 'in charge' of the family and be the main provider of emotional support for other members of the family including the person they care for. Young carers' responsibilities range from cooking and cleaning through to administering medication, providing personal care such as washing and dressing and looking after their younger siblings.
Some young carers who have to care for a family member with a mental health problem are also required to provide other types of support including coping with relatives with depression issues, which may affect their moods and behaviour as well as providing emotional and behavioural monitoring.
Young carers often have little or no outside support, and few places to go for information, support and practical help. The responsibilities of being a carer can have devastating effects on young people!
Read about the effects of caring on young people...
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