Support for Young Carers

Are You a Young Carer?

A young carer is someone under 18, or aged 18 and still at school, who looks after a family member because of illness, disability, mental health problems, or drug or alcohol misuse at home.

Young carers might help with:

• Cooking, housework, or shopping
• Getting dressed or moving around
• Giving emotional support
• Managing medication
• Handling the family budget or paying bills
• Communicating for someone, or going with them to appointments
• Caring for brothers or sisters

Taking on so many adult responsibilities can affect a young carer's school or college life, time with friends, and emotional wellbeing.

What is a Young Carer Statement?

Under the Carers Act 2016, every young carer is entitled to a Young Carer Statement. It's a written record of a conversation with a support worker about your caring role, your goals, and what matters to you.

It can help identify what you enjoy doing outside of caring, what support you might need to keep doing those things, and what others, such as teachers or doctors, can do to help, making sure you're never asked to do anything you're not comfortable with.

What Does it Cover?

Every Young Carer Statement in Scotland must cover:

• Personal circumstances: your life, who you live with, things you enjoy, and your typical day
• Personal outcomes: your aims, goals, or hopes, such as spending more time with friends or feeling better supported at school
• Identified needs: what you need to achieve your goals, which you and your support worker can work out together

If your needs meet Orkney's eligibility criteria, we must provide support to meet them. Your support worker can tell you more about this.

We'll also think about whether a short break would help you, which could be anything from a trip to the cinema or sports equipment, to attending the Young Carers Festival in summer, depending on what works for you.

You don't have to discuss anything if you'd rather not.

How the Conversation Helps

It makes sure your views are heard about your caring role, and helps the adults around you understand what advice, information, and support you need, including whether you want to continue caring.

You might be asked things like:

• What does a normal day or week look like for you?
• What do you do when you first get up, when you get home from school, or at bedtime?
• What matters most to you?
• What do you enjoy in your spare time?
• What's difficult about being a carer?
• How does caring affect your day-to-day life?
• What support do you and your family currently get?
• Do people listen to you?
• What help might you need at home?
• Does your school know you're a carer?

Do I Have to Complete One?

No, it's entirely optional. If you say no now, you can always change your mind later, and you can ask for a statement at any time.

Who Do I Talk To?

Contact Orkney Young Carers 

You can find out more information on their website: orkneyyoungcarers.co.uk

You can also speak to a class teacher, guidance teacher, or support staff at your school, and they may also ask you about completing a statement if they're aware of your caring role.

Once your statement is written, you'll receive a copy and it's up to you who you share it with.

What Happens When I Turn 18?

When you turn 18 and leave school, you'll move from being a Young Carer to an Adult Carer. You'll then be entitled to an Adult Carer Support Plan, which does the same job as your Young Carer Statement. Any support already in place will continue until your Adult Carer Support Plan is completed. Orkney Young Carers can help you through this transition.

Orkney Young Carers

Orkney Young Carers supports young carers aged 8 and over through group work, one to one support, outreach, drop-ins, advocacy, and social activities, giving young carers a chance to have fun and take a break from their caring role.