Are Your Children Young Carers?

Young carers may be doing the following: 

• Practical tasks, such as cooking, housework and shopping.
• Physical care, like helping someone out of bed.
• Emotional support, including talking to someone who is distressed.
• Personal care, such as helping someone dress.
• Managing the family budget and collecting prescriptions.
• Helping to give medicine.
• Helping someone communicate.
• Looking after brothers and sisters

If your child has no regular caring task but is affected by or provides emotional support to a sibling then the following criteria must apply

• Live in the same household
• The sibling must have a diagnosed disability or illness or be on a pathway to a diagnosis.
• ·The sibling must have a team of professionals supporting them for example Family Liaison officer, Local authority SEND worker, education inclusion worker, mental health worker such as CAMHS
• The sibling must have an Early Help assessment, a CIN plan or a CP plan.The sibling must have an EHCP or be in the process of applying for an EHCP or be identified as SEND on the school roll and in need of additional support in school such as extra support in lessons from a Teaching assistant.  

Your child may feel good about the help that they give and be proud of the skills they have.  However caring may also have an impact on:

• Their attendance at school or college
• Completing homework and gaining qualifications
• Taking part in after school clubs and school trips
• Enjoying time with friends or doing hobbies
• Their own mental health and emotional wellbeing

Your child should not undertake inappropriate or excessive caring roles that have an impact on their development and wellbeing.