General Practices working with

Young & Adults Carers

Ben White Children’s Support Service Manager

COPYRIGHT HC/BW2013

Statistics • In the 2011 Census there were 24,695 carers identified in Harrow

(nationally around 7 million).

• In the 2011 Census there were 2,308 Carer in Harrow under aged 24.

Young Carers In UK

• In the 2011 census there are 180,000 young carers in the UK. • Representing 19% increase to that of the 2001 census data • But many remain ‘Hidden’ carers who aren’t receiving support

The value of caring

• The 1.25 million carers who provide care for more than 50 hours each week equate to a full-time workforce larger than the entire National Health Service (NHS)

• £119 billion p.a. This is the value of the free care provided by carers in the UK each year

• In Harrow it amounts to around £407m

• NHS Harrow's total expenditure for 2010/11 was £363.1m

So What Is A Young Carer?

Young carers are children and young people who look after someone in their family who has an illness, a disability, or is affected by mental ill-health or substance misuse. Young carers often take on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult. The tasks undertaken can vary according to the nature of the illness or disability, the level and frequency of need for care and the structure of the family as a whole.

So Who Is A Carer?

• A Carer is any person who receives no pay for supporting a parent or relative, an elderly, physically and mentally ill or disabled person or persons experiencing substance abuse and those with terminal conditions.

What sort of things might a young carer have to do?

Carers role

• Carers’ knowledge about the person being cared for and co-operation are vital for planning and implementing any patient care plan successfully

• Carers often do nursing tasks such as giving medication, changing dressings and helping with mobility.

• They may provide intimate care including washing the person cared for, dressing and attending to toileting needs.

• This may include a great deal of lifting, or changing soiled clothes many times throughout the day

• They may need to supervise medication or help with communication.

Carers role

Other carers, such as those caring for people with mental health or substance misuse problems, or those caring for people with dementia,

• may perform few physical tasks,

• but provide a great deal of emotional support, including help to ensure that the person that they care for stays safe.

• Carers may provide child care when parents are not able to care for their children themselves.

Effects of caring – Young Carers Physical Health • Lack of sleep • Poor diet • Stress

Emotional Wellbeing • Sadness • Resentment • Anger • Embarrassment • Guilt • Mental health

Social • No time for fun, playing &

socialising with friends

Education • School can be a haven • Experience isolation from

their peers or bullying • Feelings that no-one

understands • Lack of support • Behavioural problems – anger

/ stress • Punctuality, attendance, late

submission of homework • Low self esteem with regards

to educational achievement • Difficulties making the

transition into adulthood e.g. lack of qualifications

Effects of caring

What Harrow Carers can offer

Young Carers

Advice & Support

Counselling

Activities

Training

School Drop ins

& Much more

What Harrow Carers can offer

Professionals

Training

Publicity & Resources

Joint Working

Guidance & Information

& Much more

Five key ways for professionals to support carers

1. Just listen! 2. Observe 3. Ask Questions 4. Signpost to services 5. Refer to Local Carers Centre

Example Questions ?

• How many people do you live with?

• What sort of things do you do with them?

• Do you help at home?

• What sort of things do you help with?

• Is anyone at home sick often?

• Do you ever help someone with medicine?

• Does..... stay at home a lot?

• Does ..... go to the doctor/hospital often?

• Have you heard the phrase Young Carer?

Contact details

Harrow Carers Centre

376-378 Pinner Road

North Harrow

HA2 6DZ Tel: 020 8868 5224

Email: ben.white@ harrowcarers.org

Fax: 020 8427 7764 www.harrowcarers.org