Young carers

What is a young carer?

A young carer is a child or young person aged 18 or under who helps to look after a member of their family who has a condition, such as a disability, an illness, a mental health condition, or a drug/alcohol problem

Young carers often look after a parent or a brother/sister; they may also look after a grandparent or someone from their extended family. They could 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 with 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 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.

How and where can young carers get help in Leeds?

How to get an assessment

The changes to the Children and Families 2014 state that:

"A local authority in England must assess whether a young carer within their area has needs for support and, if so, what those needs are, if—

(a) it appears to the authority that the young carer may have needs for support, or

(b) the authority receive a request from the young carer or a parent of the young carer to assess the young carer’s needs for support."

From September 2014, young carers may contact Children's Services and ask for an assessment to be undertaken. Once the assessment has been completed, support must be provided if it is needed.

If you feel you or your child would benefit from being referred for an assessment or talking to someone about their circumstances please ring the Family Information Service on 0113 247 4386, who will refer you to the most appropriate service.

Young Carers Leeds

Young Carers Leeds service is a support service for young carers aged 7 to 17 years old living in Leeds. They support children and young people who care for a family member affected by a physical or mental health illness, disability or substance misuse problem.

To find out more about Young Carers or to make a referral to their service you can contact them on the details below.

Contact

Telephone:

0113 733 9126

Address:

Leeds Young Carers Support Service, Henry Barran Centre, Amberton Grove, LS8 3JR