Young Carers Strategy

A young woman is standing looking out of a sunlit window holding a book.


A young carer is someone aged under 18 who helps to look after or support a family member who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, or an addiction to drugs and/ or alcohol. This is likely to be one of your parents or a brother or sister but can be other family members who may live with you, such as a grandparent.

You may do jobs in and around the home that your friends do not do, such as:
  • Cooking for the family
  • Food shopping for the family
  • Cleaning the family home
  • Or helping someone move around the home.
  • Any other tasks that an adult would usually do
You may also give lots of help to a brother or sister who is disabled or has long term health conditions.

Some young carers may not do any of these jobs but may provide emotional support to a parent who is.


If this is your experience we'd love to hear from you. Please join the conversation and share your ideas. We want to think together about how we plan services over the next five years so people can live their lives in the way they want to.

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