Young carers
Am I a young carer?
Family circumstances mean that from an early age some children and young people, under the age of 18, provide regular care and support to another family member.
Young carers often take on practical and emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult and as a result may miss out on a chance to enjoy a normal childhood, education, and life opportunities.
Some of the ways young people care for someone are:
- Helping them get up, getting washed and dressed.
- Doing the household chores like shopping, cooking and cleaning.
- Looking after siblings.
- Staying in the house to be there for the person they care for.
- Translating for their loved one if English is not their first language.
Young carers may also offer regular emotional care, such as comforting, listening and talking to the person they care for, which causes stress, worry or anxiety.
Where can I get support locally?
Young Carers organisations can provide support to children and young people with caring responsibilities to ensure they don’t miss out on their childhood.
Young Carers Buckinghamshire
- Phone: 0300 777 2722
- Website: www.carersbucks.org
- Email: mail@carersbucks.org
Be Free Young Carers Oxfordshire
- Phone: 01235 838 554
- Website: befreeyc.org.uk
- Email: yc@befreeyc.org.uk
Swindon Carers Centre
- Phone: 01793 401 091
- Website: www.swindoncarers.org.uk/young-carers-support-in-swindon
- Email: info@swindoncarers.org.uk
Bath and North East Somerset Carers Centre
- Phone: 0800 0388 885
- Website: www.banescarerscentre.org.uk/who-we-help/young-people-looking-after-someone
- Email: support@banescarerscentre.org.uk
Carer Support Wiltshire
- Phone: 0800 181 4118 freephone
- Website: carersupportwiltshire.co.uk/young-carers/
- Email: admin@carersupportwiltshire.co.uk
Being a young carer: your rights
All Young Carers are entitled to an assessment of their needs. The assessment is different from the one adult carers have. It will decide what kind of help you and your family might need.
We suggest that in the first instance you speak with someone at your local carers organisation above to find out more. You can also look at the NHS website.
Page last reviewed: 28 June, 2024