Resources

Carers Trust offers a wide range of resources and information for anyone who works with unpaid carers. To find a resource, please use the search options in the right hand column or search through the list below. If you have any queries about our resources, please contact web@carers.org.

If you would like to reproduce all or part of any of the resources on this website please read our copyright guidelines

Carers Trust Knowledge Hub

Carers Trust Network Partner local carer organisations can access our Knowledge Hub where you can find resources on best practice, innovation, and shared intelligence from other Network Partners.

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Good Practice

Identification Practice of Young Carers in England – Review, Tips and Tools

This resource is primarily aimed to be a guide for local government. The Children and Families Act 2014 places a duty on local authorities to take ‘reasonable steps’ to identify young carers in their area who have support needs. This resource sets out these duties and shows how local government can work with education, health and social care partners to take the steps necessary to increase identification of young carers.

Published: 2019

Research

My Future, My Feelings, My Family

The results of a Carers Trust survey into the impact of Coronavirus on young carers aged 12 to 17 and young adult carers aged 18 to 25 was published in July 2020. They point to a steep decline in the mental health and wellbeing of the hundreds of thousands of young people across the UK who provide unpaid care at home for family members or friends.

Published: 2020

Research

About Time Grant Evaluations

These independent evaluations review the successful delivery of the two About Time Grant programmes, Time for Change and Take Action and Support, which addressed the issues that can lead to young adult carers becoming disengaged from society.

Published: 2018

Research

Time to be Heard: A Call for Support for Young Adult Carers

Young adult carers are disadvantaged in their education, employment and wellbeing. These reports present evidence on the impact of caring unpaid for a family member or friend on the lives of young adult carers, using research carried out by the University of Nottingham. It represents the first large-scale survey of young adult carers aged 14-25. Reports cover England, Scotland and Wales.

Published: 2015

Research

Enabling Young Carers to Pursue their Goals in Life and Reach their Full Potential: Converting Research Findings into Policy Actions

Carers Trust is involved in a research project, 'Psychosocial support for promoting mental health and well-being among adolescent young carers in Europe'. It is also known as ‘ME-WE’. It's aim is to support the mental health, wellbeing and resilience of young carers. The project runs from January 2018–June 2021. This policy brief provides an overview of year one of the project.

Published: 2019

Good Practice

Identification of Carers in GP Practices

One of the main obstacles to carers getting the right support is identification – both self-identification and identification by health professionals. This document highlights some of the good practice that has been developed by Carers Trust Network Partners. We hope it will encourage GP practices to look at the ways they identify carers, and enable carers to get the support they need.

Published: 2018

Research

Care Act for Carers One Year On

Carers Trust's report Care Act for carers: One Year On showed that there are some carers who are getting good support under the Care Act, as well as some examples of good practice.

Published: 2016

Research

Invisible and in Distress: Prioritising the Mental Health of England's Young Carers

There are an estimated 700,000 young carers in the UK; people who are under 18 who help look after someone in their family, or a friend, who are ill, disabled or misuse drugs or alcohol. The report highlights recommendations based on discussions with young carers, sector leaders and young carers services in the Carers Trust network.

Published: 2016

Good Practice

Supporting Further Education Students with Caring Responsibilities

This resource enables further education colleges and services supporting young adult carers to gain insight into the challenges this group of students face and find practical tips, guidance and case studies to help staff establish and embed support for student carers.

Published: 2015

Research

Young Adult Carers at College and University

In 2013, Carers Trust commissioned the University of Nottingham to undertake research to examine the experiences and aspirations of young adult carers with regards to school, further and higher education, and work.

Published: 2014