Principles of practice for working with young carers and their families
Defining young carers
Several definitions of a 'young carer' exist in current legislation and guidance.
In 1995, the Social services Inspectorate defined a young carer as:
"A child or young person (under age 18) who is carrying out significant caring tasks and assuming a level of responsibility for another person, which would usually be taken by an adult."
(Department of Health, 1995, Chief Inspector letter C1 (95)12)
The Carers' (Recognition and Services) Act 1995 uses the definition:
"Children and young people (under 18) who provide or intend to provide a substantial amount of care on a regular basis."
In 1998, the Carers National Association (now Carers UK) defined a young carer as anyone under the age of 18 whose life is in some way restricted because of the need to take responsibility for the care of someone who is ill, has a disability, is experiencing mental distress, or is affected by substance misuse.
This last definition highlights the importance of taking into account not only the extent and nature of caring but also the actual or potential impact it has on the young carer.
When asked, children tend to describe their situations in terms of feelings and tasks, rather than attempt definitions of 'young carer'.
"We are part of a family and have feelings that need to be recognised. We have all sorts of feelings. We can feel protective, angry, upset, hurt, worried, anxious and uncertain."
The following is the definition of young carers given in The Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Social Work:
"Young carers are children and young persons under 18 who provide, or intend to provide, care, assistance or support to another family member. They carry out, often on a regular basis, significant or substantial caring tasks and assume a level of responsibility, which would usually be associated with an adult. The person receiving care is often a parent but can be a sibling, grandparent or other relative who is disabled, has some chronic illness, mental health problem or other condition connected with a need for care, support or supervision."
"Factors which influence the extent and nature of young carers' tasks and responsibilities include the illness/disability, family structure, gender, culture, religion, income, and the availability and quality of professional support and services."
Becker, S. (2000) 'Young Carers', in Davies, M. (ed.) The Blackwell Encyclopaedia of Social Work. Oxford: Blackwell Publishers Ltd, p. 378.
It is important to recognise that the reasons that children undertake inappropriate levels of care may be complex. Issues such as the family situation, the level of care needs and the level or lack of resources being provided by the statutory sector to the person who needs care may all be contributory factors. A joint working approach is needed.
"Children become 'young carers' when levels of caregiving to the person in need of care become inappropriate for that child".
Listening to children within a 'whole family' context
Legislation, guidance and good practice all direct practitioners to consider the needs of the child within the context of the family. A holistic approach is always advocated meeting the needs of the person who is ill or disabled, recognising family strengths as well as the difficulties / problems and being careful not to undermine parenting skills.
It is equally important to ensure that, within such a holistic approach, children's voices and feelings are heard and taken into account. Society has a duty to consult, inform, support and protect children who find themselves in a caring role that impacts upon their own development and aspirations. Children need to also be informed that they have a choice in whether or not to take on a caring role. (Source Making it Work- Frank 2002 )
Inter-agency and holistic approaches are vital if the needs of young carers and their families are to be met effectively and appropriately. Agencies need to consider how they will work together to provide coherent and equitable support and services to young carers and those they care for.
The Whole Family Pathway
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Encourage and support the effective implementation of interagency, whole family assessments and service delivery at local practice levels.
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Promote joint working between adult and children’s services.
(This piece of work was undertaken in partnership with Disabled parents network and The Princess Royal Trust for Carers)
Key Principles of Practice for Young Carers and their Families.
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Be Healthy;
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Stay safe;
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Enjoy and achieve through learning;
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Make a positive contribution to society;
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Achieve economic well-being.
The Principles are:
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There is a need to safeguard children by, working towards the prevention of children undertaking inappropriate care of any family member.
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The key to change is the development of a whole family approach to needs led assessments, to ensure that service provision is child focused and family orientated.
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Young carers and their families are the experts in their own lives and as such must be fully involved in the development and delivery of support services.
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Young carers will have the same access to education and career choices as their peers.
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It is essential to continue to raise awareness of young carers and, to support and influence change effectively, work with young carers and their families must be monitored and evaluated regularly.
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Local young carers projects and other direct services should be available to provide safe, quality support to those children who continue to be affected by any caring role within their family.
It is important to recognise that:
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Young carers may be hidden and there is a need to develop pro-active practice that will enable families to feel able to ask for support.
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The reasons that children undertake inappropriate levels of care may be complex and that to resolve them may require a multi-faceted approach to resolve.
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Procedures need to be in place so that the same principles are followed whatever route is taken to gain access to an assessment and to other services. This will require inter-agency collaboration and planning at both strategic and service provision levels.
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Timely effective assessments of both the person who needs care and the whole family could prevent a child undertaking inappropriate levels of care in the first place.
When a referral is made for a child who is caring, consider:
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Is the family member for whom they are caring already receiving services from us?
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Is the child’s school involved or aware of what is happening (family situation?)
A ‘young carer’ assessment should trigger an assessment or review of the person who needs care.
When a referral is made for an adult or child with a disability or illness, consider:·
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Is there a child in the family who may be helping to provide care?
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Have they been offered an assessment?
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What can be offered to help the whole family?
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Does the parent need support in their parenting role?
There may be differences of view between children and parents about appropriate levels of care. Such differences may be out in the open or concealed. The resolution of such tensions will require good quality joint work between adult and children’s social services as well as co-operation from schools and health care workers. This work should include direct work with the young carer to understand his or her perspective and opinions. (Framework for the Assessment of Children in Need and their Families).
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