Children’s services bosses say a “significantly higher” number of children are coming forward as young carers, partly due to physical and mental health conditions not being treated during the pandemic.
A North Yorkshire County Council meeting heard precise numbers of people aged 18 and under who care for a friend or family member who cannot cope without their support had not been established since the pandemic as the 2021 census data was still being analysed.
However, the meeting was told it was believed the number of young carers had risen sharply since the 2011 census, when 1,107 young carers aged 15 and under were identified in the county, 70 of whom were providing 50 or more hours of care a week.
Some councillors expressed surprise after hearing the 2011 census also identified 2,436 unpaid carers aged 16 to 24, 203 of whom provided 50 or more hours of care a week.
Councillors heard the council’s annual Growing Up In North Yorkshire survey of children would also help establish accurate figures of the rise.
The young people’s scrutiny committee meeting heard to meet its legal duty to provide all carers with an assessment of their needs and put in services to protect their health and wellbeing, the authority was working with numerous bodies, and in particular schools, to identify as many young carers as possible.
Officers said the authority had strengthened a drive to identify young carers, some of whom are reluctant to ask for help for fear of being perceived as weak or facing bullying.
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They said the council’s successful awareness-raising campaign may have contributed to the increase in young carers by removing stigma and instilling a greater willingness among young people to come forward and seek help.
An officer added:
“Coming out of the pandemic we know that some people’s health issues haven’t been addressed or have deteriorated, and particularly we are yet to see the impact on mental health, both for adults and young people.
“We are certainly seeing some impact already on children’s services. I think we will see an increase in the number of carers as a result of the pandemic.”
In response, councillors said children were providing a free service that the authority should be providing instead.
Conservative councillor for Bilton & Nidd Gorge, Paul Haslam, said the young carers were “providing care on the cheap”.
Conservative councillor for Thorp Willoughby, Cliff Lunn added:
“It could be seen that we are merely training them to do the job properly rather than addressing the problem. In the bigger picture we could be seen to be exploiting childhood.”
A senior officer replied that any service could not completely fill the gaps that families, and in some cases young children, provide.
She added:
Harrogate young carer attends Westminster Abbey event for heroes“I think that’s a really valid point. One of the aspects of the services provided is to make sure the adults who need the care are aware of all the sources of support that they can access, including financial benefits that may help them to pay for care to relieve the carer responsibilities for the child.”
A 14-year-old carer from Harrogate spent a special day with her family at the Duchess of Cambridge’s Christmas carol concert at Westminster Abbey.
Jasmine Clark was among a group of community heroes invited to the service this month to thank them for their efforts during the pandemic.
Jasmine is a carer for her 15-year-old brother Dylan, who has Williams syndrome, a developmental disorder. She has also helped her mum Sophia, who has suffered from mental health problems during the pandemic.
Sophia said the day was “so emotional and overwhelming”, adding:
“I was in tears all day, it was a very proud moment.”
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The family has been supported by the charity Action for Children.
Rossett School
Sophia said her daughter has been the “the rock between us all” during a difficult time.
“She’s been there in so many ways. I don’t know where we’d be without her.”
Jasmine, who is in year nine at Harrogate’s Rossett School, said “it felt amazing” to attend the service, which included performances from the Westminster Abbey choir, Leona Lewis and Ellie Goulding.
She added:
“I was so happy to get the opportunity to go and see Kate and William.”
The concert will be shown on ITV at 7:30pm tonight.