Young carers - support and advice

Young carers have the same rights as other carers under the NHS and Community Care Act 1990. They can also be considered 'children in need' under the Children's Act 1989 depending upon whether or not the local authority, in this case Shropshire County Council, considers the child's caring role as preventing him/her from achieving or maintaining a reasonable standard of social opportunities and achieving full school attendance.

Young carers are children and young people who are the main carers of a sick or disabled parent or sibling. Estimates of the number of young carers in the UK vary between 15,000 and 50,000.

View further care related information.