Young carers

What is a young carer?

A young carer is someone under 18 who helps support a family member, friend or loved one who could not manage without their help.

This support might include:

Practical help at home

Emotional support

Helping with day-to-day activities

Some young people may not think of themselves as carers, but still provide important support.

How to spot a young carer

Sometimes young people may not realise they are carers.

You might be a young carer, or know someone who is, if:

You often have caring responsibilities at home
You sometimes miss out on social activities or time with friends
You feel you need to stay home to help support someone
You regularly take on responsibilities beyond what your peers do
You feel worried about leaving the person you care for

Recognising this early can help make sure the right support is in place.

Someone sat on a chair talking to a professional

Supporting young carers

We recognise that being a young carer can have an impact on many areas of life.

Our aim is to support young carers in a way that:

Does not place additional responsibility on them
Helps them maintain their education, friendships and wellbeing
Recognises the impact caring can have on their day-to-day life

As a young carer it is really important you understand what is happening and that you are able to get all the information you need.

What to know about being a young carer

In this film by West Yorkshire Health and Care Partnership, young carers are sharing how caring has an impact in their life and how others around them can support them. These are their words and their experiences.

What support should you expect?

Just as adult carers are entitled to an assessment of their needs, you can also have one as a young carer. We can ask someone to talk to you about the care you give and any help you might need.

We work to ensure young carers are: