Carers

Here are some resources and places to find emotional, practical and financial support:

• Carers Trust: offer mentoring, training, help with applying for government benefits, relief activities & breaks for carers.
• Action for Children: arrange breaks and young-carer support groups, as well as support for the person you care for to take the burden off you.
• Barnardo’s: provide counselling, breaks for young-carers, organise support for the person you look after, liaise with school to ensure they support you, offer drop-in centres.
• NHS: this page lists different places you can find support as well as sharing some tips on protecting your mental health.
• Childline: as well as tips on who can help you with what, you can call, message or email them and they offer counselling.
• The Children’s Society has resources as well as a nationwide network for carers.
• Hope offers chat-services & advice for anyone 11+ with a seriously ill family member.

Support in education

School  

Your school has a duty to help you and to look out for your welfare. School might feel like a lonely place if no-one else is in the same situation as you (or at least you aren’t aware of them). It’s worth making teachers aware of your situation so that they can help, for example by extending homework deadlines or helping you complete a college, university, job or apprenticeship application if your parent(s) can’t. 

Many schools have a counsellor, who you can talk to about how you feel. They’re trained to listen and won’t tell you what to do, but can help you cope with the stress and isolation you may feel.  

University

The idea of going to university may seem impossible, especially if you want to live away from home, but there are systems in place to try and make it easier for you to go to university and thrive there; UCAS lists some of these. As well as financial support (see below) there are practical ways you can be helped. 

• Many universities operate an extenuating circumstances form so that during your application you can disclose your situation, enabling them to take it into account.
• You can get a ‘carer’s passport’ or similar document which you can show or have sent to any relevant lecturers or staff, so that they know about your situation without you having to explain it. This can help with securing measures like deadline extensions, where needed.
• Priority referrals to services such as counselling, mentoring or help with fast-tracked applications for financial support
• Support networks with student-carers; buddying schemes
• There are flexible degree options, including part-time study and distance learning online – learn more about these in our university advice section.
• See Hope’s guide for navigating uni with a seriously ill relative

Finances:

One of the most stressful parts of being a carer, particularly if you’re caring for an adult, can be finances. They aren’t your sole responsibility, indeed under 18s are rarely authorised to deal with banking or benefits alone, so you should contact one of the charities above or a social worker who will help you. Citizens Advice offers info on what benefits are out there as well as outlining support for carers. You can also find examples and the process of how to claim on our page here.

Under 16: you personally can’t be paid benefits, but the adult you look after or who helps look after your sibling can. Your local council (find yours here) can provide practical support e.g. a paid carer to visit regularly. 

16-19: the Bursary Fund helps young-carers stay in school with money for equipment, travel etc. Apply via your school/college. 

16+: if you care for someone for 20+ hours per week, you may be eligible for government tax credits or benefits, with more info in our finance section.  

18+: many universities offer scholarships and bursaries to students who are carers; you can also get support before you start, e.g. reimbursement of travel expenses when you visit for open days. Check your university’s website or this outline from UCAS.