Young Carers Alternative Child Rearing Practices Presentation Wednesday 25th January 2017 Use this slide to explain that we are here to create some awareness of who Young Carers, how we can support them through the organisation and how different organisations can refer to the project.

Definition of a Young Carer A Young Carer is a child / young person who cares for someone within their family. This could be their Mum, Dad, Brother, Sister, Nan and / or Grandad. This is a good opportunity to discuss the point that the caring role doesn’t have to be within the household, e.g. separated parents who still have contact, a Grandparent with dementia, etc.

A Young Carer may be Caring for Someone with one or more of the following conditions: A Physical Disability Autism Mental Health Problems Drug and / or alcohol misuse Dementia Go through the slide with the group and ensure they know that any of the following conditions would make a young person and Young Carer.

Services that the Young Carers Project Provide: We support Young Carers aged between 8 and their 19 birthday and also have a group called the Young Adult Carers (YAC), which is a social group from the ages of 14 to 25. A fun respite session every week for the Young Carers to attend – this can include cooking, arts and crafts, swimming and ice skating, to name just a few. A weekly tutor session, with a fully qualified teacher and tutor. Sub Group – this is board made up of young people who want to feed their ideas into the project. This helps to promote independent thinking, taking responsibility and team work skills. 1:1 support inside and outside of school – this can be anything from emotional support, to accessing health, education and / or understanding a diagnosis and the emotional impact around this. Access to volunteering opportunities. Young Carers in Schools Project – we are currently working with Barking Abbey, Eastbury Community School and Manor Infants and Juniors. Support workers will attend any meetings to feedback on the young people, this includes core groups and TAF’s. Read to the group and make sure they know how extensive our support can be. Also mention here, the under 8’s pilot.

Signs and Symptoms that a Child / Young Person Could be a Young Carer Unkept or change in appearance Often tired, anxious or withdrawn Secretive about home life Regular lateness Anxious about a parent and / or sibling being unwell Low attendance and / or missing regular days of school Appears depressed or has low moods Challenging behaviour Is not able to attend extra circular clubs and / or activities Signs and Symptoms that a Child / Young Person Could be a Young Carer Physical problems, including back pain A victim of bullying Showing signs of neglect or a poor diet Finding it hard to concentrate on work Go through this with the group and only reveal the first section of the slide and ask the group to think about this on each table and feed back to the group as a whole. Problems socially and not able to make friends easily with peers Conversely better with adults and present older than their age Reluctant to go home Not getting homework done or completed on time

Now let’s hear from some of our current Young Carers...

If you are supporting a young person or family who you think may benefit from the Young Carers Project, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us on any of the contact details below: Telephone: 020 8593 4422 (ask to speak to either Carron or Hannah) Mobile: 07951 790058 Email: carers@carerscentre.org.uk Address: 334 Heathway, Dagenham, Essex, RM10 8NJ Facebook: BD YC Young Carers Twitter: @BandDCarers Ensure these details are put on the screen for a reasonably period of time. Please also be assured that there is only one form to fill in, per family.

Diversity of Young Carers Who Attend

Diversity of Young Carers Staff & How Needs Are Meet

TACIT Knowledge

Harder to Engage Families Not exploring other options in the wider community Family feels additional support is not required Extended family are readily available Reluctant to engage with services – fears that social services will get involved Difficulties of Engaging Harder to Reach Families Culture and religion - fear of their children losing their identity Lack of trust and understanding regarding the aims of the project The importance of education, meaning no time to attend respite services Not acknowledging the possible impact of a caring role Worship expectations

Thank you for Listening Please remember, if you are supporting a young person or family who you think may benefit from the Young Carers Project, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us on any of the contact details below: Telephone: 020 8593 4422 (ask to speak to either Carron or Hannah) Mobile: 07951 790058 Email: carers@carerscentre.org.uk Address: 334 Heathway, Dagenham, Essex, RM10 8NJ Facebook: BD YC Young Carers Twitter: @BandDCarers Ensure these details are put on the screen for a reasonably period of time. Please also be assured that there is only one form to fill in, per family.