Young Carers Joint Statement

16 November 2010 News

The Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People, Patricia Lewsley, today issued a joint statement with the other UK children’s commissioners on young carers.

As part of NICCY’s Make it Right Campaign the February theme was ‘Supporting Families’ and the call to action was for: The Government should provide additional support for young carers

Joint Statement from the four UK Children’s Commissioners re: BBC “Hidden Army”of Young Carers could be four times as high as official figures.

The Children’s Commissioners of Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and England are today calling for Government and devolved administrations to place a requirement on statutory bodies to consider the rights and needs of young carers in the UK.  In a joint statement issued today [16 November 2010] they said:

“Young carers in the UK are too often caught in the middle of a well-meaning muddle, missing out on vital support and services that can help them.

“For young carers who are still at school, poor or uncoordinated support from the statutory sector can result in them missing out on the opportunities enjoyed by other children which can blight their life chances as adults. 

 “We’re calling on the UK Government and devolved administrations to ensure statutory bodies do more to properly identify and meet the needs of young carers, so that this largely invisible and often vulnerable group can get the support they need – and are entitled to get – and have the chance to achieve their full potential.”