Young carers' awareness day
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Healthwatch Greenwich led a workshop at a secondary school on Young Carer’s Awareness Day on 30 January 2020. Twelve young carers took part.
The young carers Healthwatch spoke to had significant, additional pressures and more responsibilities than non-carers. They had to make daily decisions on how to prioritise conflicting responsibilities, such as supervising their loved ones taking medication and caring for siblings, with their own need to attend school and maintain a supportive social life. Young carers told us they had had little guidance on how to do this, with most learning as they go along.
The young carers described the impact of this on their mental health, success in education and ability to form meaningful relationships with their peers. Education, health and social care providers should explicitly consider the needs of young carers. Young carers are willing to contribute their views and experiences to support this, and their involvement may contribute to improving their own experience.
There were four recommendations about ensuring young carers can feedback on health and social care services and ensuring reasonable adjustments for young carers.
The report includes responses from some providers.