Adult and Community Services

Young Carers

Advice and support

Young carers have the same rights as other carers under the NHS and Community Care Act 1990. They can also be considered 'children in need' under the Children Act 1989 depending upon whether or not the local authority considers the child's caring role as preventing him/her from achieving or maintaining a reasonable standard of social opportunities and achieving full school attendance.

Young carers are children and young people who are the main carers of a sick or disabled parent or sibling. Estimates of the number of young carers in the UK vary between 15,000 and 50,000.

Young carers face serious caring responsibilities. In addition to the daily tasks they complete for their parents such as housework, cooking and bathing, they live with the added pressure of school and, often, a lack of understanding from schoolmates. The physical and emotional strain is sometimes too much - many skip school and suffer depression.

Are you a young carer?

If you are under 18, and are looking after or help to look after someone Carers of Barking and Dagenham can help. The Young Carers Project is somewhere that young Carers can go to for:

Individual advice and support
The opportunity to meet other Carers
Regular trips and activities

They can arrange to visit at your home or you can call in at either of these centres:

15 Althorne Way, Dagenham, RM10 7AY

Tel: 020 8593 4422 (From 9am - 5pm)

129 Rose Lane, Chadwell Heath, RM6 5NR

Tel: 020 8590 6544 (From 9am - 5pm)

Information Shop for Young People

The Information Shop for young people is part of a National network of 'shops' initiated by the National Youth Agency. It provides free and confidential information, advice and support for young people between the ages of 14 and 25.

Mental health

If you are worried about things and not sure who to talk to, then there are organisations offering help:

Young Minds|

Do you feel really down? Are you concerned about harming yourself? Have you been sexually abused? Do you know of someone else with a mental illness? Now and again it's okay to feel low, stressed or worried. But if those feelings don't go away and begin to affect your day-to-day life, then you will probably need to seek help.

Young Minds is a charity for young people committed to improving your mental health. It will explain what might be causing your problem and offer guidance about what to do next. The website also provides an A-Z of links to other organisations for specific problems.

102-108 Clerkenwell Road, London, EC1M 5SA

Tel: 020 7336 8445

The MIND Organisation|

Mind offer the 'Young Person's Introduction to 'Mental Health'. Information includes the meaning of mental health and mental illness plus there are sections on understanding certain types of mental health conditions for example depression, eating problems, obsessions. A separate section has been devoted to 'Young Carers' relating to their 'Fears and Concerns'.

Useful contacts

Carers Information|

Click on Carers Profiles to find a list of links that may be of use to you.

Care Web|

Care Web is a young person's guide to being looked after and includes information and advice on education, health and other cool site for young people looked after.

Childline|

For Young People wishing to speak about their problem. Telephone 0800 1111 for confidential counselling.

Children's Society|

For young Carers, their families and those who work to support them across the UK.

Connexions|

A service for 13-19 year olds on education, training, employment, leisure activities and personal matters.

Cruse|

For those who have lost someone close to them.

Drugscope|

For any questions relating to drug use.

Kidscape|

Information and support to young people being bullied.