A survey of young carers aged 8-17 from across the UK, carried out by Opinium Research for Carers Trust, has revealed that as many as three in five (59%) young carers spend at least three hours a day caring, limiting time for homework, seeing friends or hobbies.
The poll showed 44% of young carers spend 3-4 hours a day on their caring role. Among 8-11 year olds, almost half (46%) spend 3-4 hours a day caring.
The survey also revealed the impact of caring on respondents’ physical and mental health:
- Nearly a third (29%) of young carers said they were stressed or worried by their caring role – rising to 32% among those aged just 8-11
- A third (36%) of young carers said that caring had left them feeling tired or worn out at school
- 29% say their role has meant they didn’t get enough sleep.
Government research shows that, on average, young carers miss one month of school per year, compared to 13 days for a child without a caring responsibility.
To help address the persistent pressures on children and young people of their caring roles Carers Trust is calling for a Young Carer Lead in every school, college and university.
Carers Trust’s CEO, Kirsty McHugh, said:
“These alarming findings show what many young carers understand all too well – that lack of support cuts off opportunities that other kids take for granted.
Every aspect of your life can be affected, from how you do in school to whether you can see your friends. This can affect children as young as five and the impact extends all the way into adulthood.
It’s high time the Government ensured every school and college had a Young Carer Lead trained to identify and support young carers. Given what these young people do for society, that’s the least we can do for them.”
