Adult carers
See caring for someone.
Young carers
If you are a young carer aged five to 19, your own health and development may be affected because of your caring responsibilities at home.
You may not get the chance to go out with your friends or do your homework. Perhaps you skip school and you might worry a lot about your home situation. Sometimes it gets too much.
Am I a young carer?
Caring may include helping to feed, bathe, clothe or giving medication to someone in your family.
Hidden carers
Sometimes young carers are what we call “hidden” this is often because young people are worried if adults/school find out what is going on they may get in trouble or feel their family could be split up.
Young people often report that they feel that no one can help or they have been let down by services in the past.
Support is here for young carers though, if you are one or know one. It is important to know you are not alone, check out the available support and helpful links below.
As a young carer you have the same rights as other carers. If you are, or someone you know is, a young carer looking after a family member who has a physical illness or disability, mental health difficulties, or difficulty with drugs or alcohol, help is available.
We can help with:
- support in identifying and using services that can assist you
- one-to-one support, advice and guidance, including home visits
- free activities and events to give you a break from your caring role, and a chance to meet other young carers. These include regular term-time groups and activities during school holidays
- specialist training workshops on health, wellbeing and caring.
People you can contact for help
- A teacher at your school
- Hammersmith & Fulham Family Support Service 020 8753 6600
- Young Carers’ Support Services
- Carers Trust Carers Trust helps young carers get access to the support and services they need.
- Princess Royal Trust for Carers 0844 800 4361
- The Children’s Society This national charity runs local projects helping vulnerable children and young people.
- Carers UK 0808 808 7777
- Young Minds - Young Carers Advice and support for young carers
- Childline Freephone 0800 1111
- SIBZ project Support for siblings of children with disabilities delivered by Mencap. SIBZ offers holiday trips to children with disabilities and their siblings. Call 0208 748 5168 or email amanda.roles@hfmencap.org
- Family Friends Parent befriending and child mentoring projects and programmes. Call 0208 960 9099 or email info@familyfriends.uk.com
- Honeypot Respite residentials for junior young carers (under 12). Referrals are made through Family Services, email info@honeypot.org.uk or see the website for more details.
Young carers can access a wide range of youth activities in the borough.
Carer's allowance
Did you know that if you are over 16, not in full-time education and earn less than £139 (after tax and National Insurance deductions you may be entitled to Carer's Allowance.
You will have to meet UK residency requirements and care for someone for over 35 hours per week.
Find out about the carer's allowance on the GOV.UK website.
Before applying for Carer's Allowance it's a good idea to check with the household and person you ar caring for as this may effect any benefit payments they recieve.