Young carers
What we do to support young carers in Brighton & Hove.
About 'young carers'
A young carer is a child or young person up to the age of 18, who helps to care for someone with a:
- disability
- mental health condition
- substance misuse issue
- long-term illness
It's important that all young carers are supported in their roles so they don’t miss out, and their needs and wishes are considered.
How we support young carers and their families
Young carers can get support from:
- The Young Carers Project - this is part of The Carers Hub
- Family Hubs, who can support the whole family - this is part of Brighton & Hove City Council
The Young Carers Project can support young carers age 8 and over through access to:
- group support
- school holiday activities
- creative workshops
- term-time drop-in sessions
It can also help by giving young carers an allocated support worker, who'll be a point of contact for them. They can advocate for the young carer and make sure their views are heard, for example at school or in multi-agency meetings.
Sometimes, this worker can offer some emotional support as well.
Where there might be gaps in support, Family Hubs (or social worker if the family already has one) can work with the family around anything that they might need support with, to change or improve their situation.
This could be:
- completing a young carer's assessment and plan
- looking at how to increase support for the young carer, and to reduce their caring role and responsibilities where needed and reduce any negative impact they experience
- making sure the right services are involved to support all family members - this can include help to access these services
- advocating for your family
- support around issues like physical and mental health, housing, finances, parenting support, challenging behaviours and issues with education or attendance
Make a referral
If you identify a possible young carer, you can make a referral. Make sure you have consent from the family to make this referral. Referrals can be made by parents or professionals.
When you have completed the referral, The Young Carers Project will send you a welcome pack and contact you. A Brighton & Hove City Council Young Carers Keyworker might also contact you to find out if the family might want access to whole family support.
Young adult carers
Those aged 16 to 25 years old, and who have a caring role, are considered young adult carers.
The Carers Hub have a specific young adult carers support worker, who can carry out a transitions assessment and agree a support plan for their future.
Contact information
Send an email to familyhubs@brighton-hove.gov.uk with any questions about a young carer or their family, or to discuss a possible referral.