Young Carers Pledge


Over the past decade, young carers and young adult carers have acquired a variety of specific legal rights and their needs acknowledged in statutory guidance and national policy to ensure they are identified and get the support that they need. Our report 'Being a young carer is not a choice; it's just what I do' also highlighted the real need for more identification, recognition and support for young carers and young adult carers.

But from speaking with young carers and young adult carers, we know that they don’t feel their needs are recognised by decision-makers and that the rights young carers have are not consistently being reflected in practice.

The Young Carers and Young Adult Carers Pledge

For Young Carers Action Day 2023, we are asking MPs, organisations and individuals to pledge their support for young carers and young adult carers. The content of the pledge is based on the voices and experiences of young carers and young adult carers, as well as what should already be happening based on legislation and existing policy/guidance.

The Pledge 

I will work with my local carer support organisation(s) to champion the needs of young carers and young adult carers - and I will encourage:

  1. Local authorities and NHS commissioners to have proactive local strategies to identify and support young carers and young adult carers. 
  2. Schools, colleges and universities to have a Young Carers Lead/Champion with responsibility for identifying and supporting young carers and student carers. 
  3. Local authorities to help young carers and young adult carers to realise their statutory rights, have breaks from caring and make successful transitions into adulthood. 
  4. Local authorities to have a Memorandum of Understanding between relevant agencies and organisations to ensure an integrated whole-family approach to identification and support for young carers and their families.

MPs can pledge their support by signing the pledge below or attending the APPG on Young Carers and Young Adult Carers event in Parliament on Young Carers Action Day, Wednesday 15 March 2023. This is from 3:30pm-5pm in the Attlee-Reid Room in the House of Lords.

 

Social media images

Please feel free to use these images to show your support for the pledge, or to ask your local MP if they will sign it.