Young carers

This factsheet outlines services to support children and young people who provide care to their parents, siblings and other relatives because of physical illness or disability, learning disability, drugs and alcohol addiction or mental health problems.

We believe that children and young people should not have to do the same levels of caring as adults. Because of being a young carer, children and young people can miss out on school or time with friends, not get enough sleep and have a lot of worries.

If you are under 18 and caring for someone, it is important that you get the help and support you might need.

If you need help and support

Support for young carers can come from many different places

There might be a teacher, school nurse or a young carers group at your school where you can chat about how things are going at home. You can talk to your GP or youth worker about the caring you do and how you feel about it.

You could join your local Young Carers’ Project - these groups offer different activities, breaks, or trips, and can give you lots of information and support.

South

South and Vale Young Carers’ Project

Monthly trips and activities are offered to give young carers a break and a chance to meet up with other young carers. Two age groups: 8-12s, and 13-17s.

Tel: 01235 510212

Email: Carers@svCarers.org.uk
Website: www.svcarers.org.uk
 

North

Spurgeons Young Carers’ Service

Tel: 01865 309602 / 07854 726678

Email: kwalsh@spurgeons.org

Oxfordshire County Council does lots of work to support young carers. 

You can ask for a family assessment or if you are aged 16 or over you can ask for an assessment of the caring you do - these assessments can be done by the care manager or social worker of the person you are caring for.

If your family does not have a care manager or social worker then the young carers project can help you get the assessments and support you might need

For any other information about work to support Oxfordshire’s young carers and their families then please call the County Council’s Young carers staff on 07919 298263

Useful contacts

The Children Society

The Children’s Society’s Include Project works with voluntary and statutory services to support children and young people who care for parents or siblings who suffer from chronic illness or disability.

Website: www.youngCarer.com

Princess Royal Trust for Carers Young People’s website

Information and help for Young Carers

Website: www.youngCarers.net

Health information for teenagers

Website: www.teenagehealthfreak.net

Childline

24 hour free and confidential help line for children and young people

Tel: 0800 1111

Website: www.childline.org.uk

Cruse Bereavement

Special counselling for young people

Tel: 0808 808 1677 (FREE phone helpline available Monday - Friday, 0930 - 1700)

Website: www.rd4u.org.uk

General Youth Information

Guide to Young People

Address: TheSite.org, YouthNet UK, First Floor, 50 Featherstone Street, London, EC1Y 8RT

Tel: 020 7250 5700

Email: media@youthnet.org

Website: www.thesite.org

Youth Net

An organisation that guides and supports young people, enabling them to make educated life choices, participate in society and achieve their ambitions.

Address: YouthNet, First Floor, 50 Featherstone Street, London, EC1Y 8RT

Phone: 020 7250 5700     

Fax: 020 7250 3695

Website: www.youthnet.org

Information Shop for Young People

Part of a national network of 'shops' initiated by the National Youth Agency. It provides a free and confidential information, advice and support service for young people between the ages of 14 and 25.

Website: www.informationshop.org.uk

Carers' Line 

Advice line from the National Carers' Association

Tel: 0345 573369

Caring Matters/Carers' UK

Advice service on legal aspects of care

Website:www.Carersuk.org

Positive Activities Oxfordshire

Positive Activities are events, activities, clubs, groups and organisations which provide young people with places to go and things to do. They can be supportive, educational, or just fun.