Young carers in the UK: Young carers in early childhood

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingChapterpeer-review

Abstract

Young carers play a vital role in society, bearing responsibility for loved ones, with often detrimental consequences for their own mental health and wellbeing. Research concerned with young carers has largely focused on children and young people aged between 8 and 25 years. Whilst this provides valuable insight into the experiences of some groups of young carers, it has failed to recognise the importance of early identification and assessment in early childhood. As such, across the UK and internationally, young carers remain under-identified and under-supported. This chapter provides an overview of the issues, policies and social circumstances that shape the lives of young carers in the UK. It looks at the caring roles and responsibilities that children take on and how they are impacted by them, as well as their rights and entitlements in law and policy across the four nations of the UK and how these are being implemented. We share observations from practitioners and young carers themselves. In the first section, we explore what is known about young carers internationally and in the UK, including the increase in numbers of young carers among marginalised groups. We consider the heightened impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on this group. We also set out the policy context in the UK, particularly around identification, assessment and support. We consider the most relevant legislation across the four governments of the UK, and the roles of statutory services in health, social care and education in identifying and supporting young carers and their families. Studies indicate that early identification of young carers remains low. This chapter considers the research context, practical application and limitations of the use of the assessment tool Manual for Measures of Caring Activities (MMCA), particularly with regard to its suitability for younger children. Whilst the existing tool and research contributions to this field remain highly valuable, further research is needed. We strongly uphold the view of Marmot that all work with children and young people should serve to empower them by ‘…developing the capacities to enjoy basic freedoms that give life meaning’, therefore any assessment used in childhood must go beyond diagnostic rigidity.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe Routledge Handbook of Child and Family Social Work Research
Subtitle of host publicationKnowledge-Building, Application, and Impact
PublisherRoutledge
Chapter39
Pages645-658
Number of pages14
ISBN (Electronic)9781040098097
ISBN (Print)9781032148649
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 30 Sept 2024

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