LGA responds to Young Carers research

“Councils across the country work hard to make sure they are able to access the support they need while continuing to enjoy their childhoods and fulfil their full potential."

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Responding to research by Action for Children showing young carers spend on average 25 hours a week caring for loved ones – the equivalent of over £12,000 a year on a part-time carer’s wage, Cllr Judith Blake, Chair of the Local Government Association’s Children and Young People Board, said:

"As these findings show, young carers do an amazing job but often face significant challenges.

“Councils across the country work hard to make sure they are able to access the support they need while continuing to enjoy their childhoods and fulfil their full potential. With adequate funding for children’s services and adult social care, councils can do more to help young carers and prevent them from having to pick up any shortfalls in support.

"Every young carer has a right to an assessment to find out if they need additional support, and councils will do all they can to provide this support where needs are identified. Councils need the support of all members of the community to help identify young carers to make sure that their needs can be assessed quickly, and the necessary support provided.  We of course recognise that this needs to be done sensitively as, from experience, we know that many young carers are reluctant to disclose their full circumstances.

"Good relationships between councils, schools, the NHS and other organisations are crucial to making sure that children are referred as quickly as possible and get the support they need to help them their lives to the fullest.”