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What Support Is Available for Young Carers in the UK? A Complete Guide
Written by
Purpl
Published on
March 12, 2025
Today we are talking about young carers, their role, the impact on their lives and support available to them. It is an emotive subject as we don’t like to think about young people in a caring role and there is a degree of guilt for some disabled people who have children who have caring responsibilities.
Young carers play a crucial role in supporting their families, and we wanted to create a guide for young carers that highlights the support available to them. Young people under the age of 18 who take on substantial caregiving responsibilities, often provide emotional, physical, and practical support to family members who have disabilities, chronic illnesses, mental health conditions, or substance dependency issues. According to the 2021 Census, there are an estimated 800,000 young carers in the UK, though the actual figure may be higher due to underreporting.
This article explores the challenges faced by young carers, the impact of caregiving on their lives, and the range of support services available to them across the UK. It also examines the role of government policies, educational institutions, and charitable organisations in providing essential assistance.
Purpl accepts no responsibility for the content of third-party websites and cannot guarantee that all these services mentioned may be able to help. Please note that situations and funding change from time to time. Purpl offer this information to be helpful and in good faith.
In this Article
Young Carer’s Theme 2025
Understanding the Role of Young Carers
Positive Aspects of Being a Young Carer
Challenges Faced by Young Carers
School Support for Young Carers
University Support for Young Carers
Friends and Social Life
Help from Social Workers
Financial Support for Young Carers
Carers Allowance
Young Carer Grant Scotland
Discounts for Carers
Support around the UK
Organisations that can Help Young Carers
Young Carer’s Theme 2025
‘Give Me A Break’ is the theme for Young Carers Action 2025. Carers Trust UK say:
“We know that young carers are significantly more likely to report severe psychological distress then their peers without a caring role. They need time out from their caring responsibilities to rest, recharge and focus on themselves – be it for a hobby, or just spending time with friends, like other people their age.
The ‘Give Me A Break’ theme also speaks to young carers’ need for education professionals and employers to give them a break in life. By trying to understand these pressures more fully, and helping young carers manage them, education professionals can give young carers the break they need to succeed at school and in further and higher education.”
There is so much information and support on the Carers Trust website here.
Understanding the Role of Young Carers
Young carers have so much responsibility on their shoulders, often performing tasks typically associated with adult caregiving, including helping with personal care, managing household chores, administering medication, and providing emotional support. The level of care provided can vary widely. For some, it may involve minimal assistance, while for others, it could mean providing round-the-clock care.
The responsibilities assumed by young carers can profoundly affect their lives, influencing their educational attainment, social interactions, and mental health. They often have little time for themselves and are at serious risk of burnout, experiencing higher levels of stress and anxiety compared to their peers and may find it challenging to balance their caregiving duties with schoolwork and personal development.
Positive Aspects of Being a Young Carer
While young carers face significant challenges, many also experience positive outcomes that shape their character and future opportunities:
1. Development of Key Life Skills
Young carers often acquire essential life skills at an early age, including time management, problem-solving, and financial management. These skills can benefit them academically and professionally later in life.
2. Strong Sense of Responsibility
Caring for a loved one instils a deep sense of responsibility, maturity, and reliability. These traits are highly valued in both educational and workplace settings and contribute to building a solid moral character.
3. Empathy and Compassion
Young carers tend to develop heightened empathy and compassion due to their caregiving experiences. They are often more understanding of others’ struggles, making them excellent friends, leaders, and community members.
4. Close Family Bonds
Caregiving can strengthen family relationships, as young carers often develop a closer bond with the person they are supporting. These strong family connections provide emotional stability and a sense of purpose.
5. Resilience and Adaptability
Facing caregiving challenges helps young carers build resilience and adaptability. These qualities enable them to cope with adversity, handle stress effectively, and overcome future obstacles.
6. Sense of Achievement and Pride
Many young carers take pride in the difference they make in their loved ones’ lives. This sense of achievement can boost self-esteem and provide a strong foundation for future accomplishments.
Challenges Faced by Young Carers
Despite the positive aspects, young carers encounter various difficulties:
1. Educational Barriers
Education is often disrupted for young carers. Balancing school responsibilities with caregiving duties can lead to absenteeism, lateness, and difficulty concentrating in class. Studies show that young carers are more likely to underachieve academically, which can limit their future career prospects.
2. Mental and Physical Health Issues
The stress of caregiving can take a toll on the mental health of young carers. Anxiety, depression, and emotional exhaustion are common. Additionally, physical health issues can arise from lifting and supporting family members, or from the lack of time for exercise and recreational activities.
3. Social Isolation
Young carers often experience social isolation as they may lack the time or energy to engage in extracurricular activities or socialise with peers. This isolation can exacerbate feelings of loneliness and impact their overall well-being.
4. Financial Strain
Families relying on young carers may face financial difficulties, particularly if a parent or guardian is unable to work due to illness or disability. The financial burden can limit access to resources and opportunities that would otherwise benefit the young carer.
School Support for Young Carers
Some of the following advice comes from the NHS website about support for young carers in the UK, sharing places to get information and support.
If a young carer is of school age, it is important for the school to be aware of what is going on in their life. Schools and teachers can offer support through talking, or being allowed to use a phone during breaks and lunchtime so they can check on the cared for person. The school could also put you in touch with your local young carers service, or get a young carers worker to talk to you.
Some schools run lunchtime groups or homework support groups for young carers. If a young person is missing lessons to help look after someone at home, or struggling to get work in on time, talking to a teacher about what the young carer does at home means they can understand what is happening and offer more support.
I don’t think me or my siblings even realised we were young carers, it was just normal life that mum needed extra help and that as a family, we all had to pitch in. Now I look back and recognise that I had to do more around the house than most kids, but I am happy that I can cook, clean and look after myself and others. And I have a really close relationship with my mum now as an adult.
Charlie
Carers Trust UK have produced some downloadable posters for schools and educational settings to use, you can find them below:
- Young Carers in Education Guide for England
- Young Carers in Education Guide for Scotland
- Young Carers in Education Guide for Wales
- Young Carers in Education Guide for Wales in Welsh
University Support for Young Carers
University students who are young carers often face unique challenges as they balance academic responsibilities with the demands of caring for a family member who has an illness, disability, mental health condition, or addiction.
Though support may differ, many universities offer a range of support services specifically tailored to meet the needs of young carers. These supports can include financial assistance through bursaries, grants, or scholarships aimed at alleviating some of the economic pressures that come with their caring role.
Additionally, universities often provide flexible learning options, such as part-time study, extended deadlines, or online learning resources, allowing young carers to manage their time more effectively. Dedicated student support teams, including welfare advisors and mental health counselors, are available to offer personalised guidance, emotional support, and referrals to external organisations when needed.
My daughter’s university had a grant available to pay for her travel to and from our family home. I was in hospital for most of her second year and once she told her tutor about what was going on, they arranged for this grant and had a better level of understanding of her needs.
Sam
Friends and Social Life
In a study by Carers UK, 39% of young carers said that nobody in their schools were aware of their caring responsibilities. That can lead to feelings of isolation and it is important that young carers know they can reach out to somebody and that they are not alone.
Young carers may feel isolated from friends because:
- they do not have as much free time as them
- they’re often thinking about the person you look after
- they may be worried friends will not understand
Meeting up with other young carers is a great way to make new friends, have some fun and share some of your worries with people in similar situations. Young carers projects can help you have a break from home, plus meeting other young carers can help you to relax. Young carers projects may offer evening clubs, weekends away, days out and even holidays, as well as friendly advice and information for you and for your family.
When I was younger, I didn’t know anyone else whose mum was disabled. Sometimes mum needs me to help her walk, or do housework, or cook tea, sometimes I help her have a shower. But my mum is always there for me too, I used to get in bed with her every day after school and tell her about my day and we are so close!
Elizabeth
Help from Social Workers
A social worker from your local council has to visit, if you or your parents request this.
Social workers may be asked to help a young carer’s family if there are problems that the family members are finding hard to sort out on their own.
If you’re worried about your own mental health, you can find out more about mental health support for children and young people. There are services all over the country helping young people with mental health conditions.
Macmillan nurses from the national charity Macmillan Cancer Support can help people who are affected by cancer and young carers. They provide a range of medical and emotional support for people who have cancer, and their families.
Financial Support for Young Carers
Financial assistance can alleviate some of the burdens faced by young carers and their families:
- Carer’s Allowance: While primarily aimed at adult carers, some families with young carers may qualify for additional financial support.
- Pupil Premium: Schools can access additional funding for students identified as young carers, ensuring they receive tailored educational support.
- Charitable Grants: Organisations like Family Fund provide grants to families with disabled or seriously ill children, indirectly supporting young carers.
Carers Allowance
Carers Allowance is a weekly payment of £76.75 that you can get as a young carer if you:
- Are 16, 17 or 18 years old.
- Spend 35 hours a week or more caring for someone with a disability.
- Are not in full-time education.
- Don’t earn more than £139 a week.
You can learn more about applying for Carers’ Allowance in England, Scotland or Wales on gov.uk website or on nidirect.gov.uk website for Northern Ireland.
Young Carer Grant Scotland
The Young Carer Grant is a yearly payment worth £359.65 in 2024/25 for young carers who live in Scotland. You can get Young Carer Grant if all of these apply:
- you live in Scotland
- you’re 16, 17 or 18 years old
- you’ve been caring for one or more people for around 16 hours a week, for the last 3 months. Caring can include supporting either the physical or mental health and wellbeing of someone (or both).
- the person or people you care for are getting certain benefits
- you’re not already getting Carer’s Allowance
The person or people you care for must have been getting one or more of these benefits for at least the last 3 months:
- the daily living component of Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
- the middle or highest care rate of Disability Living Allowance (DLA), including Child Disability Living Allowance
- Attendance Allowance
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- Constant Attendance Allowance
You can apply:
- online
- by phone on 0800 182 2222
- if you’re a British Sign Language user, you can use the contactSCOTLAND app to contact Social Security Scotland by video relay.
- by filling out a paper form
Discounts for Carers
All of the UK
If you are 16 years old, you can usually benefit from the same discount as adult carers. You can find more info at these links:
- Purpl Discounts – though we do not provide a carers discount, the person you care for may be eligible to join Purpl and save money
- Discounts for Carers – free to join, carer discounts
- Carer Smart – via Carers Trust UK
If you have a young carer card, ask your local service what discounts you can get.
Scotland only
You can apply for a young carer’s package if you are between 11 and 18 years old.
It gives you access to discounts, vouchers, and exclusive opportunities. You can also get cheaper travel on trains and ferries, and free bus travel.
To get the package, you’ll first need to apply to the Young Scot card through your local authority.
Support around the UK
England
You can get support and information from Carers Trust in England, Wales and Scotland. Your council can offer support, find the contact details of your local council here.
Wales
You can get information and support from Children in Wales. They run the Young Cares Advisory Group influencing policies and change on a national level and support services to work together to develop activities for young carers. You can contact Rachel Clement, Young Wales Senior Officer on [email protected]
Scotland
In Scotland, all young carers aged 11-18 can try out a special range of free opportunities available through the Young Carers Package. This a package of non-cash benefits is part of the Scottish Government’s commitment to supporting young carers. This commitment also includes the Young Carer Grant, for young people aged 16-18, with a significant caring role.
Northern Ireland
You can reach out to Action for Children in Northern Ireland. Young carers, their families or professionals can contact the Service Coordinator, Aisling Reynolds on 028 9046 0500, email [email protected] or via the Facebook page – NI Youngcarers. You can get support from your trust too , find your health and social care trust here.
The Young Carers Card
A carer’s card is a form of identification to let schools, supermarkets, GPs or pharmacies and others know that you are a young carer. In some areas, the young carers card will give you discounts at local businesses or online.
At school, you can show the card to a teacher to explain when you’re struggling to arrive on time or finish your homework. You may be able to use it if you need to leave early or carry a mobile phone to stay in touch with the person you care for. The card can also help you ask for help from your GP or your pharmacist without having to explain your situation.
You have a right to be supported, even if you don’t have a Young Carers card!
Georgina’s Disability Tips
England
In England, Young Carer cards are usually issued by a young carer service or a local council and not every area will have them. The quickest way will be to speak to your local young carer service. You can find their details by doing a web search, for example “area name + young carer service”.
Scotland
In Scotland, you can get the Young Scot’s Young Carers Package which is completely free and includes digital vouchers, access to subscriptions and exclusive opportunities.
Wales
In Wales, the government has launched the Young Carers ID Card (YCID), which should now be available across Wales.
Northern Ireland
In Northern Ireland, you can speak to Action for Children about any access to Young carer cards via Telephone: 028 9046 0500, or email: [email protected].
Organisations that can Help Young Carers
- Carer’s Trust offers information and advice for young carers, and runs local support services.
- Sidekick by Action for Children is a text message and email support service for young carers.
- The Children’s Society can help you find a young carer group in your local area.
- Sense run online and in-person activities for young carers under 18.
- The Mix has a weekly online support group for young carers up to the age of 25.
- Citizens Advice has information on money, benefits and your rights.
My 14 yr old son has been a young carer for his dad for a number of years, his secondary school are the ones that told us about young carers and have supported him within school. He’ll help pick things up for his dad and let’s me know if there’s been heart rate issues while I’ve been at work and he’s got home before me or remind his dad to take his medication if he’s forgotten to take it, he’s had to take on supporting me do things around the house now since my cauda equina syndrome diagnosis.
Samantha
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