young carers – Children's Law Centre https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk Children's Rights Change Children's Lives Wed, 28 Apr 2021 11:38:10 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.2 https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/cropped-icon_v1-32x32.png young carers – Children's Law Centre https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk 32 32 What if I am unhappy with the way my case has been handled? https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/faqsyp/what-if-i-am-unhappy-with-the-way-my-case-has-been-handled/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-if-i-am-unhappy-with-the-way-my-case-has-been-handled Wed, 28 Apr 2021 11:28:40 +0000 https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/?post_type=epkb_post_type_2&p=4616 If you are not happy with the way your case has been handled, then you may want to consider making a complaint with the Patient Client Council.

For information about how the Patient Client Council can help and to request support, click here.

If you need help or advice, you can speak to one of our free legal advisors by:

Email: ree@childrenslawcentre.org

Free Phone: 08088085678

REE Live Chat

]]> What if I don’t want to be a young carer? https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/faqsyp/what-if-i-dont-want-to-be-a-young-carer/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-if-i-dont-want-to-be-a-young-carer Wed, 28 Apr 2021 11:24:59 +0000 https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/?post_type=epkb_post_type_2&p=4614 The carer’s assessment carried out by your Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust or by the NI Regional Young Carers Service should indicate if you don’t want to be a young carer.  You cannot be forced to be a young carer and it might be appropriate for your parents/siblings to get support from someone else.

]]> Can I get paid for looking after my parents/guardians? https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/faqsyp/can-i-get-paid-for-looking-after-my-parents-guardians/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=can-i-get-paid-for-looking-after-my-parents-guardians Wed, 28 Apr 2021 11:23:42 +0000 https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/?post_type=epkb_post_type_2&p=4612 If you are 16+ and provide at least 35 hours care each week for someone who is ill or has a disability, you may be able to receive a Carer’s Allowance.

To find out more about Carer’s Allowance click here.

You may also be able to receive a carer’s grant which is money you do not need to repay to help with things such as repairs, equipment and bills. You can speak to your Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust or NI Regional Young Carers Service worker to find out more about the money are entitled to.

For more information or advice, you can contact one of our legal advisors by:

Email: ree@childrenslawcentre.org

Free Phone: 08088085678

REE Live Chat

]]> What is the Northern Ireland Regional Young Carers Service (NIRYCS)? https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/faqsyp/what-is-the-northern-ireland-regional-young-carers-service-nirycs/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-is-the-northern-ireland-regional-young-carers-service-nirycs Wed, 28 Apr 2021 11:20:53 +0000 https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/?post_type=epkb_post_type_2&p=4610 The Northern Ireland Regional Young Carers Service (NIRYCS) is delivered in partnership by agencies including Action for Children and Barnardo’s NI. These services can offer you a break from caring, a listening ear, individual support, information about illnesses, peer support groups, personal development, group work programmes, fun social activities, a voice, a safe environment to express concerns and worries, advocacy, advice and signposting.

Both Action for Children and Barnardo’s employ staff who will meet with young carers referred to them, complete an assessment of your needs and then agree and deliver a package of support appropriate to your needs.

Which service you contact will depend what area you live in. If you live within the Belfast, South or South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust Areas, you should contact:

Action for Children

Loughshore House 10 Heron Road

Belfast

BT3 9LE

Phone: 028 9046 0500

Email: niyoungcarers@actionforchildren.org.uk

If you live within the Northern or Western Health and Social Care Trust Areas, you should contact:

Barnardo’s NI

36a Westland Road

Magherafelt

BT45 5AY

Phone: 028 7963 1344

Email: MagherafeltAdminMailbox@barnardos.org.uk

]]> What kind of help can young carer or children’s organisations offer me? https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/faqsyp/what-kind-of-help-can-young-carer-or-childrens-organisations-offer-me/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=what-kind-of-help-can-young-carer-or-childrens-organisations-offer-me Wed, 28 Apr 2021 11:17:43 +0000 https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/?post_type=epkb_post_type_2&p=4608 If you are aged between 8-18 and have a substantial caring role for a member of your family, you can get help from the Northern Ireland Regional Young Carers Service.

Different organisations will be able to offer you different help and support depending on what your needs are, however the most common things that organisations can do for you include:

•            Organising outings and activities for you

•            Giving you carers advice and emotional support

•            Helping you and your family to get support from social services

•            Talking to your school so teachers understand your situation and can be supportive

•            Letting you know about drop-in centres where you can take a break, have fun and meet other young carers

]]> If I ask for help, what will happen? https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/faqsyp/if-i-ask-for-help-what-will-happen/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=if-i-ask-for-help-what-will-happen Wed, 28 Apr 2021 11:15:15 +0000 https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/?post_type=epkb_post_type_2&p=4606 Someone from your local Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust or the Regional Young Carers Service will reach out to speak to you and your parents/guardians.

They will complete paperwork for an assessment of your caring role and see what support you might need.  The assessment should look at the impact on your education, your health and your future needs.  If you have had an assessment in the past and your needs have changed then you can ask for a new updated assessment to be carried out.

Depending on your needs, a package of support may then be put in place to help you as a young carer.

]]> How do I get help as a young carer? https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/faqsyp/how-do-i-get-help-as-a-young-carer/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=how-do-i-get-help-as-a-young-carer Wed, 28 Apr 2021 11:12:44 +0000 https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/?post_type=epkb_post_type_2&p=4604 If you are a young carer, you can ask your local Health and Social Care (HSC) Trust or the Regional Young Carers Service to make an assessment to decide what help you and your family might need. You can also ask your parents/guardians, a teacher, a youth worker or another adult you trust to contact this service for you.

 If you need help to do this, you can talk to our free legal advisors by:

Email: ree@childrenslawcentre.org

Free Phone: 08088085678

REE Live Chat

]]> I find it hard to complete school work on time due to my carer’s duties. What support can I get in school? https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/faqsyp/i-find-it-hard-to-complete-school-work-on-time-due-to-my-carers-duties-what-support-can-i-get-in-school/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=i-find-it-hard-to-complete-school-work-on-time-due-to-my-carers-duties-what-support-can-i-get-in-school Wed, 28 Apr 2021 11:10:30 +0000 https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/?post_type=epkb_post_type_2&p=4602 You should not be punished in school if you are struggling due to your duties as a carer. If you are having trouble with school or homework, you can ask your teachers for support.

The Education Authority (EA) has produced a booklet to help teachers understand young carers and the support that you might need – you can view it here.

The guidance from the EA explains many ways that your school can help you, some examples include:

•            putting you in touch with your local young carers service

•            arranging a young carers worker to talk to you

•            delivering a lesson about young carers at your school

]]> My school policy states no mobile phones during school hours, but I need to stay in contact with the person I care for. What can I do? https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/faqsyp/my-school-policy-states-no-mobile-phones-during-school-hours-but-i-need-to-stay-in-contact-with-the-person-i-care-for-what-can-i-do/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=my-school-policy-states-no-mobile-phones-during-school-hours-but-i-need-to-stay-in-contact-with-the-person-i-care-for-what-can-i-do Wed, 28 Apr 2021 11:08:48 +0000 https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/?post_type=epkb_post_type_2&p=4600 You should speak to a teacher that you trust to check if your school would allow you to use a telephone at break and lunchtime so you can check on the person that you are caring for.

]]> Do I have to tell my school/teachers that I am a young carer? https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/faqsyp/do-i-have-to-tell-my-school-teachers-that-i-am-a-young-carer/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=do-i-have-to-tell-my-school-teachers-that-i-am-a-young-carer Wed, 28 Apr 2021 11:05:50 +0000 https://childrenslawcentre.org.uk/?post_type=epkb_post_type_2&p=4598 You do not have to tell your school; however, it might help to be honest about your home situation as you may be able to get extra help and support in school.

There should be a designated person who you can talk to about being a carer in school. If you aren’t sure who this person is, you could try speaking to a teacher that you trust. You can ask them to let all of your teachers and any other relevant staff members know that you are a young carer so you don’t need to explain this over and over again to different people.

All school staff should make sure that any information you tell them is confidential (this means to keep your information private and to only share with others if it is necessary) to protect your privacy and dignity (this means to be valued and respected).

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