Unpaid Carers
Types of unpaid carers
Contents
Are you a young carer?
If you do one or more of the following you may be a young carer:
- Help a family member who is sick, has a disability, a mental illness or has problems with drugs or alcohol
- Help look after your brothers or sisters
- Cannot always do what your friends do because you help someone
- Have to do extra chores to help out around the house because no one else can do them
- Find that helping at home is sometimes more important than homework or school
- Are really tired all the time because of all the help you have to give
- Worry about the person you help when you are not there
What is a young adult carer?
Often referred to as a 'YAC' a young adult carer is someone aged between 16 - 25 who has a caring responsibility for someone.
Although the support needs of YACS may reflect those of both young carers and older adult carers, there are also significant differences. YACS have specific needs as they transition to adulthood.
What services are there for young adult carers?
- 1:1 with an outreach worker
- Information, advice and assistance
- Advocacy
- Befriending
- Concessionary rate for Leisure Services
- Emergency card
- Support groups
Pembrokeshire Young Carers Project offers support, guidance and opportunities for young adult carers to the age of 25. Anyone can self refer or a parent, teacher, social worker, GP or other practitioner can complete a referral form. For more information telephone 01437 761330
Carers Support Pembrokeshire offers help and support to carers, aged 18+. You can contact them on:
Tel: 0300 0200 002 or email carerssupportpembs@ctcww.org.uk
Milford Haven young carers
During a social care career session in Milford Haven School a couple of students were proud to say that they work in social care as young carers. It was a great opportunity for their class to hear their experiences of what social care really involves.
Please listen to the video below to hear what Roxy and Poppy have to say about being an unpaid carer, the qualities required, the challenges they face and the support they receive.
Parent carers
Parent carers are individuals who provide care and support to their children, including grown up children, who cannot manage without help. This support may be necessary due to various reasons, such as illness, disability, mental health issues, or substance misuse problems.
A Parent carer can also be any adult who has the legal responsibility for a child or young person or a foster parent.
Parent Carers supporting children under 18 years are entitled to a carer’s assessment to find out what help they need and how these needs can be met. The assessment will consider all the help that not only your child needs but also consider the needs of any other children within the family and any additional help you may need to care for your child. If you are a Parent Carer of a child under 18, you have the right to a carer’s assessment of your own if the assessment for the child under the Children Act does not fully meet all your needs.