The first-ever Parliamentary inquiry report focused on young carers and young adult carers in the UK has been released, uncovering startling statistics and urgent needs within this overlooked community. The report, conducted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers and supported by Carers Trust, paints a picture of the challenges thousands of children and young adults face nationwide.
According to the inquiry, approximately 15,000 children, including 3,000 aged just five to nine, are dedicating over 50 hours per week to caring for family members due to illness, disability, or addiction. The inquiry suggests there might be as many as one million young carers in the UK, highlighting the issue's scale.
The findings reveal a disturbing trend: the responsibility borne by these young people often leads to detrimental effects on their education and future opportunities. Many young carers are falling behind in school, with the average young carer missing 27 school days per year. Furthermore, young adult carers are 38% less likely to achieve a university degree compared to their peers without caring responsibilities.
More alarming is the report's finding on the mental health of young carers. It notes that these individuals are more likely to engage in self-harm and are twice as likely to attempt taking their own life compared to their non-caring peers.
The report criticises the current system for failing to identify and support young carers early enough, leading to what it describes as a 'postcode lottery' of support. The average waiting time for receiving support is three years, with some young carers remaining unidentified for up to a decade.
In response to these findings, the report makes several key recommendations, including the urgent introduction of a cross-government national carers strategy with a specific focus on young carers and young adult carers. It also calls for a comprehensive ten-year review of the Children and Families Act 2014 and Care Act 2014, focusing on their impact on unpaid carers. Additionally, the report advocates for the Government to support the development and implementation of the first UK-wide Covenant for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers.
Coinciding with the report's release, a group of young carers will present an open letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on 14 November, demanding greater support and recognition for their invaluable contributions. The letter, signed by over 1,100 young people, is a unified call for change.
For more information or to support young carers, read the report and contact your MP telling them about the impact on young people of being a carer.
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