Welsh Government commits to 10 areas of support for young carers
Young carers from across Wales have joined Dawn Bowden MS, Minister for Children and Social Care, and Wales’ Chief Social Care Officer, Albert Heaney, to mark Welsh Government’s commitment to the Young Carers Covenant.
The Welsh Government became signatories of the Young Carers Covenant, pledging their support in ten key areas to maintain the rights of young carers, ahead of Carers Rights Day on 20 November.
Dawn Bowden, Minister for Children and Social Care, said:
"Young carers are children first and foremost, and they have the right to live full and balanced lives – doing well at school, spending time with friends, and pursuing their own interests alongside their caring responsibilities. Where young carers are known to local authorities, we expect them to be assured the young carer is not taking on too much.
"We are investing a further £15.75 million to extend the Short Breaks Scheme and Carers Support Fund for three years until 2029, providing additional breaks and financial support for essential items that young carers can access. Young carers are also a particular priority in our new, updated National Strategy for Unpaid Carers, which will be in place next year.
"The Covenant reflects what young carers have told us is most important and I hope other organisations across Wales will join us in our commitment to young carers by also signing."
The Young Carers Covenant is a UK-wide commitment to young carers and young adult carers. It sets out ten areas that young carers have said are key to improving their lives and asks signatories to outline the action they will take to uphold their commitment. Welsh Government joins councils, children’s charities and government departments across the UK as signatories, leading the way for further public bodies in Wales to demonstrate their commitment to support young carers.
Joining the Minister and young carers, Kate Cubbage, Carers Trust Director for Wales and Chair of the Young Carers Professional Network said,
“Welsh Government’s public commitment to placing young carers’ rights high on the agenda is undoubtedly a positive step towards improving the experiences and outcomes of young carers across Wales. At its heart the signing of the covenant is an important acknowledgment that young carers are children first and foremost and that we all have a role in making sure they are identified, supported and protected.
“Every young carer has the right to local support, ensuring their caring role doesn’t mean they miss out on play, school or other key milestones and experiences. We’ll be working with Welsh Government to support the implementation of a progressive strategy for unpaid carers that sees these rights become a reality for young carers across the country.”
14 year-old Elektra, a young carer from Carmarthenshire who is a member of the Carers Trust Wales Youth Council and the Welsh Government’s Young Carers Advisory Board, said:
“Accessing support as a young carer has been transformative for me. I’ve been a young carer since I was very young but I was only identified by services last year. Carers Trust Crossroads West Wales has supported me since then to help me balance my caring role, school and the chance to take a break and have fun like other kids.”