Young carers
Who is a Young Carer?
You are a Young Carer if you are a child or young adult under 18 who spends time looking after or helping a member of your family, or close friend.
The support you provide could be helping with everyday tasks that your family member or close friend can no longer manage because of illness or disability. You may be providing regular and ongoing care and emotional support to your family member or close friend who is physically or mentally ill, disabled or misuses substances such as drugs or alcohol.
Islington and Camden Young Carer Service (ICYC)If you are a Young Carers living in Islington or Camden, the Islington and Camden Young Carer Service (ICYC) may be able to support you with your caring responsibilities. ICYC is delivered by The Children's Society and they know that lots of young carers take great pride in their responsibilities, and it is important that young carers get the support they need, too.
ICYC can support in the following ways:
- improving your health and wellbeing
- reducing your caring role if you are taking on
- excessive or inappropriate levels of care
- getting support to access
- education or employment
- increasing your social opportunities.
ICYC provide flexible and individual support, helping you to build on your existing strengths, skills, and relationships.
The support may include one-to-one wellbeing sessions, whole family support, mediating with other
services, or helping you to access further support.
Also, the service works with professionals and others, too, to help them understand how they can better support young carers.
For more information or to get support:
Phone: 020 78414 445
Email: [email protected]
Website: Advice and support for young carers, The Children's Society
Office: Whitecross Studios, 50 Banner Street, London EC1Y 8ST
What rights do Young Carers have?
Children aged under 18 who are providing care have rights to be assessed for care and support.
The Children and Families Act gives carers under the age of 18 the right to an assessment on the appearance of need. They do not have to directly request one.
The Care Act 2014 gives young carers the right to an assessment as they approach 18 years of age. This is called a Young Carers Needs Assessment.
What is the assessment process for a young carer?The assessment itself must look at whether or not the young carer wishes to continue caring, and whether it is appropriate for them to continue caring. When doing this they have to take into account any education, training, work or recreational activities the young carer wishes to participate in
Where a young carer’s eligible needs are identified as requiring support, Camden Council will:
- provide support directly to the young carer, or
- demonstrate that the ‘cared for' person’s assessment has provided adequate care and support to prevent inappropriate care being required from the young carer.
Camden Carers Service also provide support and assistance to young adult carers aged 18 to 25.
Contact Camden Carers Service
Telephone: 020 7428 8950
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://www.camdencs.org.uk/