What does being a young carer mean?
Young carers are children and young people under 18 years old, who look after a member of the family who is sick, disabled, has mental health problems or is misusing drugs or alcohol.
Lots of children and young people want to help out and feel proud that they are lending a hand. At the same time the impact of these caring responsibilities may cause difficulties at home, school, college or elsewhere.
Sometimes it can be difficult to recognise someone as a young carer, but does this sound like your family or a family you know?
How we can support carers and families
When a young carer is referred to us we will contact them and arrange to meet with them to discuss their needs and develop a support plan.
This meeting usually takes place at home with their family. Or, as long as the child's parent or guardian agrees, we can meet at their school or another safe place. We may also call some families to discuss their needs over the phone.
Our priorities are to:
- make sure the young carer is safe and being looked after
- reduce the amount of caring a young person has to do if it is too much for them, by thinking about the needs of the whole family
- help the young carer to get more support at school or college
- make sure that the young carer gets a regular break and time for friends and fun
- check that the young carer is supported by other adults and professionals in their lives
- make sure that the young carer has someone to talk to when things are difficult
- check that the family are receiving all the support or financial benefits available to them
- improve the life opportunities of the young carer.
Contact us about a young carer
For us to start offering support we need someone to refer the young carer to us. This helps us understand the situation, decide what support may be needed and allocate a support worker to the young carer.
Usually an adult will make a referral on behalf of a young person. This could be a teacher, social worker, another professional or one of the young person's parents.
It is important that whoever makes the referral has asked the family for permission to contact us and that they are happy for their information to be shared.
At this point we are also keen to know what support the family thinks would be useful.
To make a referral email youngcarers@westsussex.gov.uk.
To speak to us about a young carer, call 01903 270300 and ask to talk to the 'Young Carers Duty Worker'.
Burgess Hill Town Council supports Burgess Hill Youth to put on events for Young Carers throughout the year. The Town Council provides all administrative support and is the initial point of contact for Young Carer enquiries. Burgess Hill Youth lead the events on the day with support from Town Council staff.
Upcoming Events:
Burgess Hill Youth and Burgess Hill Town Council are pleased to confirm they will be holding the next young carers event on Tuesday 25 October for carers aged between 6-11 years. The Mustard Seed Café will be providing lunch for the day.
You will be able to book a place for this event nearer the date. If you completethe annual permission form via the google form by clicking on this link, you will be contacted directly when bookings open for this event, as well as future events.
Please contact Kayleigh at Burgess Hill Town Council on Kayleigh@burgesshill.gov.uk for further information on this event.
Register with West Sussex County Council
If your child is a young carer, please do ensure you have registered with the West Sussex County Council team as they also provide events for young carers including a weekly support group for those aged 11 and over – however you must be registered with them. More information can be found on West Sussex County Council, please click on this link to go directly to the page.
If you have any questions at all please contact Jennifer on 01444 238207 or email jennifer@burgesshill.gov.uk