ABSTRACT

The numbers of children who care for a sick parent or a parent with a disability is increasing, and in the United Kingdom, there has been recognition of the role services need to play in the support of young carers. Young carers are defined as children and young people under 18 years of age who provide regular and ongoing care and emotional support to a family member who has a physical or mental illness, has a disability or misuses substances. The young carers and parents/guardians also have conflicting priorities. The young people may see the benefit of additional support but this potentially comes with further isolation from their student body and fears around identification. Involving and informing guardians was an essential part of the process; however, it also ran the risk of creating barriers with a defensive dialogue and fear of repercussions from identification.