Some young carers manage their caring responsibilities well and enjoy the role they have.
However, others have told us that they need:
- to know they are not alone;
- a break from home;
- time for themselves;
- someone to talk to who will listen to them;
- information and advice about their relatives illnesses, disabilities or conditions;
- a chance to do things they may not be able to do with their own family.
Some children take on caring responsibilities that puts their own health and safety at risk. It can interfere with their ability to make and keep friends and impact on their own development.
Some adults who were very young carers, have told us that they:
- feel they struggled to find the right help;
- missed out on being able to finish their education;
- have developed their own mental and physical health problems.