Who Do They Care For?

Children and young people may be caring for:

  • Siblings
  • Parents
  • Grandparents
  • Other relatives or members of the community

Remember

  • In some incidences children may care for friends or other members of the community
  • Unaccompanied children can be young carers
  • They may be caring for more than one person or taking on a parenting role for siblings and other children

They may be caring for someone with one or more health conditions and disabilities including:

  • Physical disability
  • Sensory impairment
  • Emotional or learning impairment
  • Long-term illness
  • Blood-borne viruses including HIV and Aids
  • Alcohol or substance misuse
  • Mental health issues
  • Ill-health and disability as a result of genocide or torture, including phobias

Support provision

The Local Authority can provide support services to asylum seeking children and their families where children are taking on inappropriate caring responsibilities. This is subject to an assessment of their needs and to restrictions under the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 and Nationality Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 preventing them from being eligible for local authority support. 

Useful Links

Disabled parents­
Family support services­