Supporting Young Carers
A young carer is a child or young person up to age 25 years old who provides care, assistance or support to another family member.
These web pages, including ‘Young carers – information for school staff’ page on the department’s intranet, are intended to support young carers in our schools. Together they replace the earlier 'Being a carer, being a student and being a kid' PDF document.
According to the 2022 Survey of Disability, Ageing and Carers, there are 132,100 young carers in NSW – an over 50% increase compared to the previous survey in 2018. In reality, there are likely to be many more ‘hidden carers’ not included in these statistics.
The person receiving care is often a parent, but can be a sibling, grandparent or other relative who has a disability, chronic illness, mental illness or other condition.
Young carers can face difficulties managing their school study responsibilities while carrying out caring tasks. They often assume a level of responsibility more commonly associated with an adult.
The role of a young carer can be challenging for students but provides many positive experiences as well.
Supporting Young Carers resource provides information for principals, teachers and student wellbeing support staff about supporting students who are young carers.
The NSW Department of Education has an obligation under the NSW Carers (Recognition) Act 2010 to support young carers enrolled in public schools so that they can thrive and reach their potential. The Disability Standards for Education (2005) provide that the Disability Discrimination Act (1992) continues to govern the treatment of persons who have associates with a disability. This includes carers of a person with disability.
Who is a young carer?
A young carer is a child or young person up to 25 years old who provides care, assistance or support, carrying out significant or substantial caring tasks regularly.
Examples of caring tasks
- assisting with personal care
- monitoring a relative’s safety
- looking after younger siblings
- housework
- preparing meals
- organising transport
- managing household finances
- advocating with government or other agencies
- assisting with medication
- providing emotional support.
Many young carers do not want to be defined by their caring role and are keen to be treated like any other young person. However, they also want to be understood and their circumstances considered. Often young carers see themselves as young people who ‘help out’ at home rather than as a carer.
The definition of a carer may vary across cultures.
Experiences of young carers
Being a young carer can provide positive experiences. A caring role can also bring about challenges that require extra support.
Positive experiences may include
- close relationships with those for whom they care
- pride in their practical management skills
- confidence and resilience in managing challenges.
Challenges may include
- low participation, poor attainment in school and disengagement from school
- impaired psychosocial development and high levels of personal stress
- socioeconomic disadvantage, isolation and associated lack of opportunity and life choices
- difficulties moving through key transition points
- young carers may lack sleep and neglect their own health and wellbeing due to anxiety and preoccupation with their caring responsibilities and duties.
Resources for school staff, carers and families
School staff are well placed to identify young carers and link them with supports. Please see the intranet page Young carers – information for school staff for more details.
General information and further resources for young carers and their families is available on Young carers – other resources & links subpage.