A ‘young carer’ is defined in section 96 of the Children and Families Act 2004 as, a person under 18 who provides of intends to provide care for another person. Most are caring for a parent, but some may be taking responsibility for a sibling, grandparent or other relative. In some instances, a young carer may care for more than one family member.
The person they look after will have one or more of:
· Substance misuse or addictions problems
If your child is a young carer, please contact the Young Carers Champion, Mrs Burley to find out more about how we can support your child:
We work closely with MYTIME Young Carers to ensure that our young carers receive the support and opportunities for respite, fun and friendship that they deserve.
See the attached letter for information on MYTIME Young Carers and the support they can provide.
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The BCP Council young carers service has the following criteria. A BCP Council young carer must:
- Be resident in Bournemouth, Christchurch or Poole
- Be between 5 and 18 years of age
- Have a caring role for a significant adult or sibling in their family and the significant adult or sibling has a chronic illness, either mental or physical and/or disability (including sensory loss). This will also include drug and alcohol misuse
- Undertake care and tasks for this significant adult or sibling. The tasks should be over and above what would normally be expected of a young person, e.g. helping the parent with their personal care, getting them up in the morning, getting them washed, dressed, looking after siblings, helping with medication
- The role of caring may be impacting on the young person's emotional and/or physical health, education or social development.
Please find here a link to the BCP form to register as a young carer.