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Unidentified and unsupported: Plea to find hundreds of thousands of hidden young carers

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Hundreds of thousands of young carers – many aged under 9 and some as young as 5 – are still going unidentified in schools with devastating consequences for their education, wellbeing, and future prospects.
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An inquiry by the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Young Carers and Young Adult Carers has warned that official figures drastically underestimate the true number of young carers in the UK.

A young carer is someone aged under-18 who cares for a friend or family member who, due to illness, disability, mental health, or an alcohol or substance misuse problem, cannot cope without the young carer’s support.

The 2021 census identified 127,176 young carers, while the 2023 schools census put the figure at 38,983 (for young carers aged 5 to 16).

However, the inquiry’s report – which was published this week – estimates that 10-13% of the pupil population could have caring roles. This would equate to two in every classroom or as many as one million young carers.

The report includes evidence showing that around 15,000 young carers, including 3,000 who are aged nine and under, spend at least 50 hours a week on their caring duties.

It warns that little has changed over the years for young carers, with the lack of identification a continuing problem leading to a “postcode lottery” of support.

Key barriers to identification have historically included a reluctance on the part of the young carer to come forward. The report also warns that many young carers might not identify themselves as such even though they are in a caring role: “This is an essential consideration when looking to boost identification,” the report advises.

The inquiry heard evidence that it can take as many as 10 years before some young carers are identified. Meanwhile, the average waiting time to get support once a young carer has been identified is three years. Indeed, it reports “significant waiting lists for assessments and support” in some areas with “services struggling to meet demand”.

The impact on these young people is clear. Young carers, the inquiry found, miss an average 27 school days a year, are more likely to finish primary school behind age-related expectations, they perform worse in their GCSEs, are more likely to drop out of college, and more likely to become NEET. Furthermore, young carers are more likely to self-harm, suffer with anxiety, and feel lonely.

The report states: “A lack of awareness of caring roles by education professionals leads to the inflexibility of schools in responding to the impact of caring on studies. This was a common theme in the evidence we received. Young carers also highlighted the need for greater awareness among other young people in schools.”

The report calls for a national strategy to be created for young carers and urges the government to set out “immediate plans” to improve early identification and increase access to support.

The work of the APPG and the inquiry itself has been supported by the Carers Trust, which this week delivered an open letter to 10 Downing Street calling on the prime minister to do more to help. The letter has been signed by more than 1,100 young carers.

During the course of the inquiry, MPs on the APPG heard from young carers services, schools and parents as well as more than 400 young and young adult carers.

Many spoke about the difficulties they encountered in not being identified as a young carer, including a lack of support from schools, local authorities and other services.

Duncan Baker MP, chair of the inquiry and vice-chair of the APPG, said: “Our inquiry has heard truly concerning evidence from young carers and those who support them. Some young children spend 50 hours a week caring, while young adult carers have their chances of getting good GCSE results, going to university or getting a job drastically reduced by their caring role.

“The wildly uneven support available across the country shows an urgent need for the government and Parliament to work together to transform the landscape.

“It’s up to all of us to give these young people a better start in life so we also need local authorities, health providers, schools, employers, and regulators to join in and help young carers. This is why the APPG is calling on the government for a national carers strategy to co-ordinate support right across the country.”

Carers Trust CEO Kirsty McHugh added: “This damning report should be a wake-up call that young carers are being horribly let down by the system. They are facing huge disadvantages when it comes to education, job prospects and wellbeing, all because they put their loved ones first.

“As the social care system struggles to cope with demand, these young people are having to fill the gaps. Support needs to be ramped up across the board and there’s a critical need for a long-term strategy to ensure a fair future for every young carer.”

Commenting on the report, Paul Whiteman, general secretary of the National Association of Head Teachers, said: “It’s vital that these children are identified and get the support they need, but sometimes they are hidden from view and may not feel able to seek help. Many schools play a key role in identifying and supporting young people who are caring for loved ones, and they are often the first line of support for young carers.

"This help must extend beyond schools, but all services need better government support in improving early identification of young carers, and the resources required to then offer practical support.

"A cross-government national carers strategy – including a properly-resourced action plan for young carers and young adult carers – is long overdue and would be very welcome.”

Margaret Mulholland, SEND and inclusion specialist at the Association of School and College Leaders, added: “This report lays bare the difficulties faced by young carers. Schools do everything they can to support all of their pupils but it’s clear that there is more work to do and we support calls for a national carers strategy. Additional training for staff working in education would also be welcome, provided it is backed with necessary funding.”