Young carers are young people under the age of 18 who provide care, unpaid, for a family member with an illness or disability, mental health conditions or an addiction.
To consider before making a referral: When a child aged under 8 is taking on caring responsibilities, we recommend an Early Help Assessment is completed in order to consider whole family support. The Early Help Assessment and initial Team Around the Family (TAF) meeting will determine if a young carers needs assessment is needed. More information about making an Early Help Assessment can he found here www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/children-and-families/parenting-and-family-support/providing-children-and-family-services-how-we-work/early-help-assessments
It may not be suitable to make a referral for a child/young person if:
- There is no consent from the young person
- There is no parental consent and the young person is under 13 years of age
- There caring responsibilities do not have a adverse impact on their physical/mental health, education, emotional or behavioural development
- Care tasks are age appropriate and do not exceed what an ‘average’ child of their age would undertake (e.g. A teenager helping with some housework, walking to the local shops etc.)
- Their caring responsibilities are due to parenting issues or neglect (i.e. caring for siblings because parents are working or inattentive)
Service offer:Our initial offer is a needs based assessment to establish the level of caring responsibilities and impact. The outcome of the assessment will determine the level of support and recommendations for services to offer the young person and their family, this includes an individual action plan which may include multiple agencies. As a standard, with young person/parental consent, we will liaise with schools/colleges and GPs.
Not all of Centre 33 Young Carers services may be necessary or are guaranteed to every young carer.
