Latest news with #youngcarers
BBC News
22-07-2025
- BBC News
Young carers still being failed, Oxfordshire charity says
The head of a charity that supports young carers has said vulnerable children are being failed by the system designed to help chief executive of Be Free Young Carers, which helps more than 600 children in Oxfordshire, said a lack of permanent funding and joined-up working was putting its work at North, who also sits on Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Partnership, estimates 90% of the victims of Oxford's historic grooming gangs were young county council children's service department was graded "good" in its latest Ofsted report, which noted "all young carers receive good support". Operation Bullfinch was a two-year investigation that ended with the jailing of seven men in 2013 for abusing six girls in Oxford, between 2004 and a serious case review found as many as 373 children may have been targeted in Oxfordshire over 16 years"The sexual exploitation gangs that happened in our city, 300 victims, 90% of them were young carers," Ms North said."Part of the findings were that we would support young carers and it isn't happening. There's us and there's nothing else." 'No safety net' Her charity receives no statutory support from the county council and is instead funded through donations, grants and trusts. It helps about 650 children in Oxfordshire, but Ms North estimates there are at least 12,000 children with caring responsibilities in the county. She said: "We're a small charity and if we weren't here, what would there be?"There is no safety net. If we disappear overnight, there is nothing else in the county to support young carers." The latest figures for Oxfordshire show children with a caring responsibility are facing a "triple threat", with young carers being more likely to be on the special educational needs (SEN) register, as well as coming from lower income together, this compounds the negative impact that caring responsibilities can have on a child's education, with 29% of young carers not meeting expected levels in reading, writing and maths at Key Stage 2, compared with 22% for levels continue to be affected by the end of year 11, with 51% of young carers failing to obtain 5 Good GCSEs, compared to 36% of non-young carers. "Their attainment levels at school are lower than any other category of child," Ms North said."We talk a lot about SEN in the country and in the county, but it's young carers that are below that and aren't recognised."Ms North added: "We all need to work together, whether it's schools or the county council. Everyone needs to work together to get the best outcome for young carers."A spokesperson for the council said they were "committed to the safeguarding and wellbeing of children as part of the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Partnership". "This multi-agency hub, created after Bullfinch, assesses safeguarding contacts and child needs, including risks."We are in discussions with Be Free Young Carers about the needs of young carers across the county and any possible future funding for particular projects; however, while negotiations continue, details must remain private and confidential." You can follow BBC Oxfordshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
BBC News
17-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Plan to support 'hugely important' unpaid Peterborough carers
A council has suggested awarding £1.7m to services that support "hugely important" unpaid carers in a City councillors were being asked to authorise contracts for £1.14m to a service supporting adult carers and £566,000 to one aimed at helping young carers.A council report produced ahead of a meeting on Tuesday said there were 608 active carers in the city, of which 146 were young carers aged under the age of said support for carers was important to ensure "[They] are recognised, valued, and supported to maintain their caring role as long as possible". It cited research suggesting that unpaid carers contributed £162bn to the economy in England and Wales each report said: "It is widely acknowledged that unpaid carers provide a hugely important role in saving the economy money, and they should be suitably supported." 'Feeling overwhelmed' The contracts would be awarded for up to five years to Making Space, an organisation supporting adult carers, and Centre 33, which supports children and young report said many carers reported "feeling overwhelmed at the start of their caring journey" and wanted to be able to access information and advice more said young people making the transition to caring as an adult often found this challenging, while carers of all ages expressed the need to take a break from their providers would give carers an introductory pack explaining the basics of how to navigate the council also said the providers would identify carers at risk of domestic abuse and introduce an evening carers' group for those working during the day, "ensuring the groups reach a broader range of carers".The council's cabinet has been asked to authorise both contracts at its meeting on Tuesday. Follow Peterborough news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
12-06-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Carers Week: 'Shining the light' on young carers in South East
For many young people across the South East, their focus revolves around school, homework, catching up with friends and enjoying interests and some face the extra responsibility of caring for a family member who has a health condition or living with a 14, from Gravesend in Kent, looks after his older brother Henry, who has autism, ADHD, learning difficulties and a sleeping and eating mother Natalie told the BBC: "I feel guilty sometimes because Billy doesn't have a child's life. He doesn't go out with his friends because he wants to stay home and help me." Billy was eight years old when he started looking after Henry. He said initially he found the extra responsibilities "tough"."I struggled to keep up with homework as well, but I can now manage the different tasks," he added."When I come home from school, I look after Henry. I cook his food, do the washing and I wait for mum as she returns late from work." On Saturdays, Billy tidies the rooms, maintains the front and back gardens and does the who is a single parent, said: "I don't ask Billy to do the tasks, he takes them on himself." Billy was a recipient of the Community Hero Award at the Gravesham Civic and Community Awards 2025 in May. He is also a member of the Shadow Youth Board and the Young Carer National Voice and he advocates passionately for more support and recognition of young though Billy has taken on care responsibilities, he finds time to engage in his own hobbies such as growing tomatoes and playing rugby and basketball. "When I grow up, I want to be a PE teacher or a police officer," he said. Fifteen-year-old Oliver from Eastbourne in East Sussex is the sole carer for his mother Wendy, who has a pacemaker and a mechanical heart valve and takes special medication for her was a recipient of BBC's Make A Difference Award last year. While he was recognised for his dedication, he admitted the extra responsibilities are "challenging" at times. "Mum is proud of me. We get through it together and we support each other," Oliver said. Oliver was eight years old when he saved his mother's life by contacting 999 after she collapsed in the middle of the night. He told Radio Sussex that at the time he was dealing with the situation, fear had not crossed his mind."Looking back it was scary," he said. "Mum does feel guilty some times with me looking after her, but I try to let her care for me when she can." 'Young carers feel lonely' Rosie Lowman, service manager for East Sussex charity Care for the Carers, said it has received an increasing number of referrals for young carers from ages five to 17. According to the charity, there are about 8,000 young carers in the county. To support the youngsters, it has launched a fundraising appeal to keep its Young Carers Groups to Action For Children, eight out of 10 young carers feel lonely during summer holidays. "While many young people look forward to a summer break young carers could face an increase in their caring role and as a result they feel more isolated from their peers," Ms Lowman said."We want to use Carers Week (9-15 June) to shine the light on young carers and how important respite is for them."Oliver said support groups are vital so young carers "do not feel alone". "It's crucial every young carer gets the same opportunities as other young people," Oliver added.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Young Carers: How a school lunch club is helping 75 young carers
Across England, children and young people who look after a loved one are taking part in a project to raise awareness of what it means to be a young Young Carers in Schools Award is given to schools who are helping spot young carers offer help for their individual also gives primary and secondary schools across England with step-by-step guidance for schools to gain the practical tools they one secondary schools in Wiltshire, which has 75 young carers, that's meant help with lessons but also more fun events - like a lunch club. What is a young carer? A young carer is someone under the age of 18 who looks after a family member who may have an illness, disability or mental health condition. These young people often take on responsibilities that go beyond what is usually expected at their Carers Trust say that, according to the most recent census data, at least 16,000 young carers in the UK are caring for 50 hours a week or more - some who are as young as five years old. At the school in Wiltshire the club allows young carers to talk, share experiences, and feel less a student there, said: "It feels really good because loads of people at school don't know but then here, it's really fun because you don't have to hide anything."Year 7 student Eva added: "You get to meet up and it's a safe space to talk about stuff."James, in Year 8, explained how pupils are also helping each other: "The school's offering some of us young carers to mentor the younger students who are young carers. "I think it will help tell them that they're not alone in their situation."Children who are carers often take on adult responsibilities, for example they might need to help keep the house clean, or help family members with medication and carers may also have to use a lot of their free time to help out at home. Where can young carers get help? Charities like the Carers Trust and The Children's Society provide support and help for young people who are carers in the UK also have a right to be given the information they need and have an assessment of their own is called a young carer assessment, or a young carer statement in can help decide what kind of help a young person and their family authorities - also known as councils - are responsible for young carer and schools can also provide support.
BBC News
14-05-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Wiltshire young carers take part in national award scheme
Young carers from Wiltshire are taking part in a national award which aims to raise awareness of the hidden work of the are 75 young carers at the Royal Wootton Bassett Academy. Kerry Heaphy, deputy head of inclusion said the award scheme helps them "identify our young carers, look out for them and support them".The scheme provides primary and secondary schools across England with step-by-step guidance for schools to gain the practical tools they academy has a lunch club which Year 7 student Eva praised: "You get to meet up and it's a safe space to talk about stuff." Those who care for a loved one who, due to illness, disability, mental health condition or addiction and cannot cope without additional support, and are aged under 18 are defined as young Young Carers in Schools Award is based on five categories: understand, inform, identify, listen and focuses on addressing young carers needs, raising awareness, giving them space to express their feelings, signposting resources and services and most helps identifying children who may not realise that caring for a loved one qualifies them as a young Heaphy added: "As part of that, we gained the Wiltshire Carer Young Friendly Award. Through that, Wiltshire Council contacted me to let me know that there was a national young carer award."She added it was never about getting awards but being there for her students: "If we're already doing a lot of what ticks the boxes to gain the award then we can look at making sure that we're giving the best possible support to the students." A new lunch time club for young carers has recently started at the school and allows the students to get together, seek advice and understand that there's other young carers in the same said: "It feels really good because loads of people at school don't know but then here, its really fun because you don't have to hide anything."Year 8 student James said part of working towards the award includes mentoring younger students: "The schools offering some of us young cares to go over to Noremarsh school to mentor the younger students who are young carers."I think it will help tell them that they're not alone in their situation."
