1. Safeguarding Young Carers in Stockport Katy Frankland Hannah Thompson Telephone Number:

2. Serious Case Review/Serious Adult Review Published August 2018 Available on KW/KG Please read ….. Concerns that son was not seen as a young carer

3. What is the definition of a Young Carer?
‘Young Carers are children and young people who provide care to another family member who has a physical illness or disability; mental ill health; sensory disability or has a problematic use of drugs and alcohol. The level of care they provide would usually be undertaken by an adult and as a result of this they take on a level of responsibility that is inappropriate to their age and development. This has a significant impact on their childhood experiences’

4. It is estimated that there are 3,000 Young Carers in the Stockport area.
The 2011 census identified 178,000 Young Carers in England and Wales alone; with a 83% increase in the number of Young Carers aged 5 to 7 years
After recent GM research it is estimated that there are 27,000 Young Carers across the GM
The average age of a Young Carer nationally is 12.
The average age of a Young Carer in Stockport is 10.
It is estimated there are also 1.2 million children living with a parent who misuses drugs or alcohol.
1 in 3 Young Carers spend between hours per week caring
1 in 8 Young Carers spend approximately 50 hours per week caring

5. How can you identify through your practice situations and families
where there might be young carers? Ask the following questions:
1. Who helps to care for the person at home?
2. What effect does their condition and personal care needs have on the family?
3. Is there a child/young person in the family who helps to provide care?
4. How does this affect the child/young person physically, emotionally or educationally?
5. Is there any direct help that would support the young carer?
6. Does the parent need support in their parenting role?
7. What can be offered to help the whole family?
8. When prescribing medication for your client, consider whether a young carer may be
administering it. Is this appropriate? Do they need support?

6. Indicators within the School environment: Is the pupil…
Indicators within the School environment: Is the pupil…. Often late or missing days or weeks of school? Not handing in homework/coursework, completing it late or to a low standard? Do they get on well with adults and present as very mature for their age? Having problems making friends? A victim of bullying? Displaying behavioural problems? Having difficulty joining in extracurricular activities or school trips?

7. Is the pupil…. Isolated. Finding it difficult to concentrate
Is the pupil…. Isolated? Finding it difficult to concentrate? Often tired, anxious or withdrawn? Having physical problems such as back pain? Depressed? Secretive about home life? Showing signs of physical neglect or poor diet?

8. Are the parents (or another relative)…
Disabled?
Have an illness or addiction problem?
Difficult to engage with?
Not attending parents’ evenings?
Not communicating with the school?
On low incomes and unable to afford school related expenses?

9. Signpost Referral Process
Once we receive a referral form and we have the necessary information we will contact the family to arrange a home visit. The referral form needs to filled out as comprehensively as possible
We need to know about the young person’s caring responsibilities (“caring” can mean physical caring, emotional support or taking responsibility for someone’s safety or well being) as well as the impact those responsibilities have upon at least one of the following;
• Physical/mental health
• Education
• Emotional and Behavioural Development
• Identity
• Family and Social/Peer relationships
We see the parent first to get their perspective on the situation and once we have obtained permission from them we will make arrangements to see the young person/s. If the referral is appropriate and both the parent and young person are in agreement we will offer a service as soon as we possibly can.
Talk about consent. Must be obtained- Parent/s can self-refer or can have trusted person to support at the assessment.

10. Young Carers and knowing their rights

11. Young carers have rights whether they look after someone every day or from time to time or if they do a lot or little caring.

12. Children and Families Act 2014
•All Young Carers are entitled to a Young Carer’s Assessment from the local authority.
•The assessment needs to consider whether it is appropriate for the Young Carer to provide, or continue to provide, care.
•The assessment also needs to consider: -The young carer’s needs for support, their other needs and wishes -If any of the young carer’s needs for support could be prevented by providing services to the person cared for, or another member of the young carer’s family
Young carers can be impacted in a way that;
•Makes them feel worried, sad or lonely
•Makes their health worse
•Means they miss out on time with friends
•Means their education will be impacted
•Stops them getting a job or keeping a job
•Stops them achieving their future goals
Katy

13. Care Act •Young adult carers are entitled to a transitions assessment about how the different services for child and for adults will affect them when they become 18. A transitions assessment will look at: -Whether young adult carer wants to continue providing care or change their caring role -What support from the council would be helpful for them to achieve their goals after they turn 18 -When they turn 18 if they will be able to receive services to help them achieve their goals (this depends on what kinds of support they need and how much money they have).

14. How might you be involved at an assessment
How might you be involved at an assessment? •Young carers can ask for people to be at the assessment. This might be someone who: –Knows their situation well –Will help them speak up –Is good at advocating if they get stuck –Will help them feel less worried or anxious –Can talk about what they know about the young carer to help build a picture of their caring role and life.

15. Assessment Process
-When completing an assessment we are not looking at how many hours a child/young person is caring per week, but the impact.
-The assessment enables young carers to express their worries around the person they care for.
-We are also determine appropriate tasks within the home and what is not appropriate taking into consideration age and development.
-We put the two parts of the assessments together and look to offer a tailored package of support to the Young Carer and their family.

16. What tasks could a Young Carer be undertaking
What tasks could a Young Carer be undertaking? Cooking Shopping Nursing Bathing Cleaning Looking after siblings Paying bills/collecting benefits etc Helping with medication Ironing Washing Offering emotional support Managing household diary Planning days out Decorating Toileting carrying out?

17. How a Young Carer’s life could be impacted Disturbed sleep Feeling second-best No time for themselves Verbally abused Violence from sibling Social isolation Looking after siblings Feelings of guilt Dealing with Social workers and other professionals Feelings of exhaustion Low self-esteem/confidence Bullying issues Developing Mental Health issues Witnessing violence, drugs and self-harm carrying out?
Hannah Thompson

18. The Positives of being a Young Carer “I can cook and deal with money.”
“I am resilient.”
“I have made new friends that I never thought I would – some have similar experiences to me and some don’t.”
“I am able to look
after myself.”
“I have learnt new skills and done things that I didn’t know I was capable of.”
“I am confident to deal with new and challenging situations.”
“I can cook and deal with money.”
“I am really independent and can do most things for myself.”
“I am able to empathise with others.”
Hannah Thompson

19. Evidence shows there being a young carer can impact on attendance, attainment, personal development and welfare.
27% of Young Carers miss school or suffer educational difficulties (40% where children care for a relative with drug/alcohol issues)
They are more likely than the national average to be NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training)
They have significantly lower educational attainment at GCSE level – the difference between nine B’s and Cs.
¼ said they were bullied
Stockport Childrens Trust highlighted 16.8% of persistent absences are Young Carers. 47.4% of Young Carers are attaining the expected level at Key Stage 4, compared to the national average of 59.2%.

20. What can Signpost Young Carers offer?
-Residential trips
-Group work (Wednesdays and Thursdays)
-1 to 1 support
-Counselling
-School Liaison
-Family Link (Whole family Approach)
-Parents group
-Information and advice

21. Becky’s Film
Katy-

22. Questions?