Young Carers Waiting Times
A young carer is a child or young person aged between 5 to 25 years old whose life is in some way different or restricted because they provide substantial practical or emotional support to someone else.
The Children and Families Act 2014 states that young carers have a legal right to a Young Carers Needs assessment. The purpose of the assessment is to identify individual needs for each young person and if/how their caring role impacts on their health and wellbeing.
Our Young Carers service is currently experiencing a high volume of registrations which is resulting in a delay in Young Carers receiving a Needs Assessment (approximately 5-6 months).
The young carer assessment will identify with the child any support they want and need. Please note: this may differ to the opinion of the referrer or family.
In some situations the child/young person may decline support, have alternative support in place or they may have no agreed identified need.
If you are completing the registration on behalf of a child/young person, please ensure you have a conversation to gain the following information to include:
- Does the child/young person identify as a Young Carer? Do they consent to you making the referral
- Does the child/young person want an assessment?
- Who else is supporting the child/young person in their caring role?
- What are you doing to support the child/young person
- THINK FAMILY
