New research suggests huge number of ‘hidden’ young carers not getting vital support this summer

Research by the charity Action for Children suggests hundreds of thousands of young carers in England and Wales could be unknown to local authorities and missing out on vital support.

Whilst the charity estimate there are around 800,000 young carers aged 11-16 in England alone who help care for a family member with an illness or disability, figures from 141 local authorities in England and show only 84,256 young carers under the age of 18 were registered illustrating just how many could be flying under the radar.

The research also revealed inconsistent levels of support for young carers. Of the local authorities in England and Wales that responded, nearly a quarter said they either had no additional provision for young carers during the school holidays, or that the only extra provision was via services available to other children, such as the government’s Holiday Activities Fund.

Paul Carberry, Chief Executive at Action for Children said “We see first hand in our services just how vital access to specialist support is for young carers. It gives them a break from their responsibilities, a chance to have fun and be a child, and to meet other young people in similar situations who understand what they’re going through. 

“We also know the loneliness, anxiety and stress that can be placed on their shoulders, particularly during the long summer holidays when they’re not at school getting that social time out of the home. Services for young carers also give support workers an opportunity to spot problems early before they hit crisis point.

“The government must ensure councils have sufficient funding so that all young carers have access to these essential services.”