Information on what it means to be a young carer.
What is a young carer?
A young carer is a child or young person under the age of 18 who helps look after a relative who has a condition, such as a disability, illness, mental health condition, or a drug or alcohol problem.
Young carers often look after one of their parents or care for a brother or sister. They do extra jobs in and around the home, such as:
- cooking
- cleaning
- laundry
- helping someone to get dressed
- physically supporting someone get around
- personal care like bathing and toileting
- provide emotional support
- collecting prescriptions
- giving medication
Being a young carer can have a big impact on a young person's life, they may have to grow up quicker and take on more responsibilities sooner than they would normally, for a person of their age
For more support and advice, go to
- Being a young carer: your rights - Social care and support guide (NHS)
- Help for young carers - Social care and support guide (NHS)
- Transforming the lives of carers (Carers Trust)
- Young Carers (NottAlone - Young People Mental Health Support)
- Sibs, For brothers and sisters of disabled children and adults
- Carers Trust