Young carers
Who are young carers?
Young carers come from all cultural, community, ethnic and faith
backgrounds, they are under 18, looking after, or helping to look
after, a family member suffering from a long term illness,
disability or a dependency on substances. They may undertake a
range of caring tasks and assume physical and emotional
responsibilities normally carried out by an adult.
What does Kent do to help young carers?
Kent has a variety of projects designed to support young carers
in the county. These projects offer young carers respite, support,
and a chance to enjoy activities with other young carers.
Kent young carers strategy
Kent has produced a young carers strategy, which was launched in
July 2008. The strategy, named "Invisible People" by young carers
who helped to develop it, recognises the challenges that young
carers face in their everyday lives and aims to support them in
achieving their full potential.
The commitments within the strategy will be realised through an
implementation plan, delivered by local partnership arrangements.
Kent Children's Trust Board and
Kent Adult
Social Services are committed to ensuring that this takes place
and are confident that the strategy provides the crucial starting
point for improving the well-being of young carers across the
county.
KCC has also
produced an information leaflet for young people, summarising the
strategy. This leaflet might help you to decide whether you, or
someone you know, is a young carer.