Have your say and help protect young carers’ futures
All too often educational opportunities for the UK’s one million young carers are very different to those of their classmates. This is because of the great pressures young carers face as they balance study with caring for a sick or disabled family member at home.
- 40% of all young carers say they don’t get enough support to balance caring and education
- 50,000 young carers are spending 50 hours every week on their caring role
So, it’s hardly surprising that young adult carers are 38% less likely to obtain a university degree than their counterparts who do not have to care for a family member.
Young carers are also five times more likely to NOT be in education, employment or training than young people who do not have a caring role.
Take our 5 minute survey and help transform educational opportunities for young carers
We want to influence policymakers to take action now to improve educational opportunities for young carers. That’s because improved educational opportunities for young carers mean better life chances.
You can help us make the case for the vital need to support young carers in educational settings. Add your voice by taking our short survey.
This will give us the evidence we need to influence policymakers and create better futures for young carers.
Whether you are a young carer, a young adult carer or a professional working in education, for a local authority or young carers service, we want to hear from you.
How to take the survey
Pick the option you fit into and have your say:
- For professionals working in schools/colleges
- For professionals working in young carer services/local authorities
- For young carers in school (aimed at secondary-aged - there is an alternative version for younger pupils below)
- For young carers in college/university
- For home-educated young carers
- For parents of young carers
Word document versions are available by contacting youngcarersalliance@carers.org.
Please make sure you complete the survey by 9am on Monday 5th August 2024.
By taking our survey you will be automatically entered into a prize draw with a chance of winning:
- £50 gift voucher for a young carer/young adult carer
- £100 for a young carers group of your choosing
Do you work with younger young carers?
We know there are young carers who may not be able to access online forms, but we are very keen to hear from them too.
If you work with young carers under 13 years of age, you can use this short, visual questionnaire to make sure their voices are heard.
Microsoft Word Document version
Please download the form and return to youngcarersalliance@carers.org.
If you have any questions about this work, please contact Andy McGowan, Policy and Practice Manager at Carers Trust – amcgowan@carers.org or 07791 779 664.