Dorset Council is strengthening the help it gives to young carers. Firstly, the council wants to identify all young carers in the county and assess the impact of caring has on the child.
A young carer is a child or young person aged 18 or under who cares for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, mental health problems or an addiction, cannot cope without their support. The 2021 census identified that 1.2% of the 5–17-year-old population are unpaid carers, representing around 590 children and young people in Dorset. Currently there are 285 young carers registered in the county.
Young carers are more likely to suffer with poor physical and mental health. They can also find it difficult to fully participate in their education, finding time for homework and revision difficult. Attendance at school can also be affected by their caring role.
Recognising young carers remains a high priority for the council. It is encouraging all colleagues in schools and adult social care and health to ‘think young carer’ and ask questions about who is providing care for the friend or family member.
Another pledge, which is also being made across the UK, is to involve the young carers in the decision making for the cared for person. Young carers are often very knowledgeable about the person they are caring for and responsible for administering medications and care plans. They often feel excluded of these assessments. Some Dorset young carers made a short film about this.
Other areas that the council will improve for young carers is the health and wellbeing support they receive, supporting attendance to education and training and continuing support into adulthood as part of their Birth to Settled Adulthood programme.
Cllr Byron Quayle, Portfolio Holder for Children, Education, Skills and Early Help, said:
“Young carers are a vulnerable and often an unseen group of children and young people. The help they provide to their cared for person is invaluable We have a moral and statutory responsibility to identify them and provide support to meet their needs.”
Dorset Council’s People and Health overview Committee is considering a report that details these pledges. View the report.
