Surge in UK political support for Young Carers Covenant
Scottish Government becomes the first government in the UK to sign the Covenant
Young Carers Action Day events have been taking place this week across the UK, and politicians have been coming out in strong support for young carers in a range of events at Westminster, Holyrood and at the Senedd in Cardiff.
This has led to a surge in support for the Young Carers Covenant from across the political spectrum, and beyond. There are now 580 signatures to the Young Carers Covenant, the only initiative of its kind in the UK for individuals and organisations to commit to taking positive action to improve the lives of young carers (more information below on the Young Carers Covenant and how to sign).
Marking Young Carers Action Day on Wednesday, the Scottish Government’s Minister for Social Care, Maree Todd MSP, announced the Scottish Government would be signing the Young Carers Covenant.
She said: “I am very pleased that the Scottish Government will be formally committing to Carers Trust’s Young Carers Covenant, and its ten outcomes. Doing so will make us the first government in the UK to do this, and we hope it will serve as an example to other organisations to do the same.”
Scottish Government support for young carers was underlined by the First Minister, John Swinney. The First Minister, together with Maree Todd MSP, met Scottish young carers at Holyrood today. Speaking after the event, he said:
“Young carers make an incredible contribution to their families and communities, and it is essential that they are recognised, valued and given every opportunity to thrive.”
There has also been support for the Young Carers Covenant from the UK Government. Speaking in Parliament earlier in the week on Monday, the Children’s Minister, Janet Daby MP, said:
“This government is committed to raising visibility of young carers, ensuring they have the support they need at home and indeed in education. We champion initiatives such as Young Carers Action Day and the Young Carers Covenant.”
There was also a strong demonstration of support for young carers from MPs at a special event hosted by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers on Wednesday. Stephen Timms MP, Minister for Social Security, signed the Covenant at the meeting.
Led by former young carer, Sir Ed Davey MP, the Liberal Democrats have long championed the cause of young carers. In a Facebook post on Young Carers Action Day, the party set out its plan for young carers, including to ‘proactively support the Young Carers Covenant’.
What is the Young Carers Covenant?
The Young Carers Covenant is the only initiative in the UK that outlines a pathway towards creating positive change for the lives of all young carers.
It was developed by Carers Trust using the insights of more than 500 young carers and young adult carers, as a way for decision-makers, local authorities, schools, employers and many more to commit to taking action to support young carers.
It does this by clearly setting out ten outcomes, each of which is key to improving the lives of young carers and young adult carers.
Any individual or organisation in a position to help improve young carers’ lives can sign the Covenant. Examples of people or bodies who can sign include MPs, MSPs or MSs, a national government, a local authority, community organisations, schools, universities and places of further education and employers.
Signing commits the individual or organisation to taking whatever actions are within their power to help secure one or more of the ten key outcomes.