Young carers

Healthwatch Barnsley undertook research into healthcare support for young carers.   It undertook 3 surveys – one with 12 young carers, another with 788 young people at a variety of secondary schools in Barnsley and a third which 95 teachers and school.

All 12 of the young carers felt well supported and informed about the help that is available to them.  They felt that they needed more social activities to relieve them from their caring responsibilities.  Their health needs were being met.

Nearly 60% of young people surveyed in schools stated that they knew what a young carer is, but only 22.5% knew the actual definition.  13.5% of those surveyed believed that they are a young carer. However, when the answers provided were compared to the definition, the survey showed that only 12 respondents fit the description of a young carer.  Nearly half of the young people stated that they would not know where to go to in school if they needed support for themselves or a friend within school

69% of the 95 teachers/school workers surveyed did not know how young carers were identified within their own school, with only 5 knowing how many carers were identified within school. 77% did not know what support was available within school, and 83% did not know about a referral system leading to support outside of the school 80% surveyed said they are not informed when a young carer is identified in school, and only 10 have received training on identification of young carers within school.

There were five recommendations.