Getting support if you are a young carer or young adult carer

There are lots of organisations that can help you if you are a young carer or young adult carer.

Find young carer services near you

• Carers Trust's network of local carer organisations in England, Scotland and Wales offer information, advice, practical support and/or care in the home. Many of them, but not all, have services for young carers and young adult carers. Find your nearest one by searching on our website.
• The Children’s Society may also  be able to help you find a young carer service near you. 
• Care Information Scotland may also be able to help you find a carer service near you.

Emergency services

If your or someone else is at immediate risk of harm or a criminal act has been committed call 999 immediately to get help.

Health advice and information

If you have an urgent medical problem or need medical advice call 111. You can also visit the NHS website or Scotland NHS Inform.

For other organisations to contact, see The Children’s Society’s website or Young Scot in Scotland.

Information about Coronavirus (COVID-19)

• You will find information about managing during the Coronavirus situation here.

General advice and resources for young carers

• The Booklet for Young Carers has been developed for young carers by young carers and covers topics such as looking after yourself, growing up as a carer and dreaming about your future.
•  The Children’s Society works with children and young people and has lots of advice and resources for young carers on its website.
• You can also look in the Help and advice section of this website to find the information you are looking for, although please be aware it has been written for carers who are 18 and over so may not always be relevant if you are under 18. 
• Sidekick is a confidential helpline for young carers in the UK. You can text or email the service about anything that’s bothering you as a young carer. You’ll hear back from a friendly Sidekick coach, usually within 24 hours.
• Carers UK is the UK's membership charity for carers of all ages offering advice, information and an online forum for carers over 18.
• The Mix provides support for young people aged 25 and under on things such as mental health, relationships and money.  It has recently launched an online group chat for young carers/young adult carers which takes place on Friday evenings.
• Childline can help anyone under 19 in the UK with any issue they’re going through. It offers advice, information and a counselling service. You can phone on Freephone 0800 1111, send an email, have a 1-2-1 chat, send a message to Ask Sam and post messages to the Childline message boards. Visit the website to find out more. 
• Young Scot is Scotland's national youth information service. Visit the website for stories from other young people on their experience of being a carer and get loads of information on caring for someone.
• Meic is the helpline service for children and young people up to the age of 25 in Wales. Freephone: 0808 80 23456 or visit the website for other ways to get in touch.

Financial advice and support

• Find out about financial support for young and young adult carers on the Money Advice website.
• Read about benefits, grants and other sources of financial help you may be able to claim on our website. 
• Young carers across Scotland can access a package of opportunities via Young Scot Membership.
• Young carers aged 16-18 in Scotland may also be eligible for a Young Carer Grant. 

Getting into work

Getting into Work is our handbook for young adult carers in England who want to get into work. It will be particularly useful if you are looking for work for the first time, have been out of work for a while or if you are in work but looking for a new job.

Your rights 

For young and young carers in England

• See our booklet Know your Rights: Support for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers in England.
• LawStuff gives free legal information to young people in England. LawStuff is run by Coram Children’s Legal Centre, which provides more detailed information both over the phone and online.
• The Children’s Society's website also has information for children and young people in England on your rights.
• The Office of the Children’s Commissioner for England speaks up for children and young people so that policymakers and the people who have an impact on their lives take their views and interests into account when making decisions about them.

For young and young adult carers in Scotland

• The Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 came into force on 1 April 2018. Find out how it might affect you on Young Scot’s Everything You Need to Know About the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 and in our Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 – Jargon Buster for Young Carers.
• Watch a recording from the Scottish Young Carers Festival which explains What is a Young Carer Statement?
• The Children and Young People’s Commissioner Scotland works  to protect the rights of children and young people.

Wellbeing and mental health

• Whatever you're going through, a Samaritan will face it with you. They're there 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, wherever you live in the UK.  You can call Samaritans on Freephone: 116 123, 24 hours a day, seven days a week or visit the website for more ways to get in touch. Contact Samaritans Cymru for a Welsh language service.

• Mind provides information and support for people with mental health problems in England. Mind Cymru is Mind in Wales providing information and support in English and Welsh.

• Young Minds offers information about looking after yourself, coping with mental health issues, feelings, symptoms and conditions, wherever you live in the UK. Services include a free 24-hour crisis messenger if you are experiencing a mental health crisis and a Parents Helpline for parents across the UK.  Find out more on the Young Minds' website.
• Kooth provides free  anonymous online support for young people. You can read articles written by young people, speak with a counsellor and access support from the Kooth community.
• The Children’s Society’s website has details of organisations that can help with wellbeing and mental health.

• Breathing Space is a free, confidential phoneline service for anyone in Scotland who is experiencing low mood and depression, or who is unusually worried and in need of someone to talk to. Get details on the Breathing Space website.

• SAMH is Scotland’s national mental health charity providing information resources whether you are living with a mental health problem or supporting someone who is. 
• Young Scot has information on support from organisations around Scotland. 
• Mind Yer Time has tips, stories and information to help you use your screen time positively, all designed by  the Children's Parliament and the Scottish Youth Parliament!

Education advice

• Reach can help you understand your rights to support at school in Scotland and has information specifically for young carers.
• Watch the video recorded at the Scottish Young Carers Festival on Finding Support at School. 
• The Children’s Society website has lots of information if you need education advice. 

Staying safe on the internet

The UK Safer Internet Centre has online safety tips, advice and resources to help you stay safe online.

Date revised: 10/12/2021