There are all sorts of benefits and services that both you, the person you care for, and the rest of your family, may be able to have to improve your life. To make sure you receive everything that is available, different people carry out what is called an 'assessment'. This just means meeting with your family and asking about any problems you have and then offering information, advice or support to make those problems less.
You and your family may already have help and support from someone - a mental health worker or physical disability worker perhaps - who comes in to your home and helps the person you care for with their illness or disability.
By law young carers of all ages have a right to have a personal assessment too, when the person they care for is assessed and if you're 16 years or over you can have your own assessment, whether the person you care for is being assessed or not.
Your rights as a young carer
Have an education
Be able to enjoy free time
Be protected from psychological and physical harm
Have a voice, be listend to and believed
Have respect and privacy
Have information and advice
Have health and social care for your personal wellbeing
Have a voice in discussions which affect your life
Remember, it's your right as a child to . . .
and it's your right as a young carer to . . .
We will first meet with your parent or guardian and obtain their permission to meet with you. Although we may sometimes involve other members of your family in activities our main focus within your family will always be YOU.
We will meet you for a chat and complete a relaxed assessment and then work out together any help and support you need as a young carer. See all the things we do on our 'How we Can Help' page! From youth club to trips to useful and understanding one-to-one confidential chats with one of support workers - we are here to help.
Have an assessment to see what help and support you need
Have pratical help and support with caring
Make choices about the amount of care you can give
Be recognised and treated separately to the person you care for
Have information about your 'cared for' illness
Have advice about who to contact in an emergency