Hundreds of thousands of ‘hidden’ young carers not getting vital support this summer
Research by the charity Action for Children suggests hundreds of thousands of young carers in England and Wales could be unknown to local authorities and missing out on vital support.
It’s estimated there are around 800,000 young carers aged 11-16 in England alone (1) who help care for a family member with an illness or disability.
But figures from 141 local authorities in England and Wales via a Freedom of Information request (2) show 84,256 young carers under the age of 18 were registered (3), illustrating just how many could be flying under the radar.
Action for Children provides services to support young carers across the UK, giving them a break from their responsibilities, a chance to have fun and socialise with other young people who understand what they’re going through.
The Freedom of Information data also revealed inconsistent levels of support for young carers. Of the local authorities in England and Wales that responded, 29 (21%) said they either had no additional provision for young carers during the school holidays, or that the only extra provision was via services available to other children, such as the government’s Holiday Activities Fund.
Some councils said they only funded staff posts for young carer services in their area, with all provision, trips and activities externally funded through things like grants, charity fundraising and donations. Others said they offered young carers support via things like discount cards for local leisure facilities and vouchers.
Research by Action for Children and the Carers Trust in 2023 revealed more than eight out of ten young carers feel lonely in the summer holidays (4), when their caring responsibilities often increase as they spend less time outside the home.
16-year-old Meghan attends Action for Children’s Young Carers in Pembrokeshire. She helps her parents look after her 12-year-old sister, Mia, who is autistic, has a learning disability, and is limited verbally.
Their parents work opposite shifts as a nurse and a police officer, so Meghan’s support with Mia is invaluable. It can include tasks like getting her out of bed, supervising bath time and playing games, as well as being an emotional support to Mia.
I didn't realise I was a young carer until a couple of years ago, when my sister’s social worker brought it up. It can feel really lonely, especially when people don't understand. “Summer holidays can be very hard. All my friends go off on holiday or are out and about the whole time. That just isn’t an option for me, and I can feel isolated at times. “Everything I do has to relate back to my sister and her needs… A lot of the time for me it feels more like being a third parent rather than a sibling... like I am living her life before my own or instead of my own. "Attending young carers has been a real lifeline to me. It feels like I can focus on myself without worrying about anything else.
Young carer Meghan
Meghan with her sister Mia.
We see firsthand in our services just how vital access to specialist support is for young carers. “It gives them a break from their responsibilities, a chance to have fun and be a child, and to meet other young people in similar situations who understand what they’re going through. “We also know the loneliness, anxiety and stress that can be placed on their shoulders, particularly during the long summer holidays when they’re not at school getting that social time out of the home. “Services for young carers also give support workers an opportunity to spot problems early before they hit crisis point. “The government must ensure councils have sufficient funding so that all young carers have access to these essential services.
Paul Carberry, Chief Executive at Action for Children
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACTS:
England: Anna Caines, Media Manager, 07974 038 934, [email protected]
Wales: Alastair Love, News Media and Relations Officer, 07872 675 688, [email protected]
Out of hours: 020 3124 0661, [email protected]
NOTES TO EDITORS:
1) BBC and University of Nottingham research in 2018 estimated there were around 800,000 young carers aged 11 to 16 in England alone. Accounting for those aged 17 or under 11 and the number in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, Carers Trust estimates the number across the UK to be more than one million.
2) Action for Children sent FOI requests to all 173 local authorities with responsibilities for children's services in England and Wales. Of these, 141 responded (81.5% of all FOIs issued).
3) The figures provided by the local authorities were for children who were either registered by the council on a young carers register; known to be accessing or supported by a young carer service commissioned by the local authority; or listed as a young carer 'active case'.
4) Action for Children and Carers Trust polled 275 young carers from their services and other young carer organisations and services in June and July 2023 via a Microsoft Forms online survey and hard copy printouts which were uploaded onto the platform. The sample size of 275 is snapshot survey of young carers as they can be a hard-to-reach group.
About Action for Children
Action for Children protects and supports vulnerable children and young people by providing practical and emotional care and support, ensuring their voices are heard and campaigning to bring lasting improvements to their lives. With 372 services in local communities across the UK, in schools and online, in 2023/2024 we helped 687,755 children, young people and families. actionforchildren.org.uk
