Young Carers Service
The Lincolnshire Young Carers Service supports young carers up to the age of 19. Young carers may be helping and supporting a family member or friend due to disability, mental ill-health, illness or substance misuse.
A young carer may be providing support with:
- Cooking, housework and shopping
- Physical care, such as helping someone in and out of bed
- Personal care, such as assistance with dressing, toileting and administering medication
- Managing the family budget
- Collecting prescriptions and arranging GP or hospital appointments
- Helping with communication
- Looking after brothers or sisters
- Emotional support
Young carers are under 18 and are not usually the next of kin. Sometimes, professionals do not feel they can share confidential information with them.
We have created the young carer card to help prevent issues around age and consent.
A professional working with a 'cared-for' person may choose to discuss things with a cardholder.
The card does not give the young carer an automatic right to information.
A professional may share information about:
- medication (for example, its effects and safe handling)
- the diagnosis (for example, background information and living with or managing a condition)
- the prognosis (for example, how the condition may or may not develop in the future)
Before you apply, you will need:
- consent from your parent, if possible
- a digital passport-size photograph
Sophie has been caring for her family since the age of 13, when she disovered she was a young carer.
"...after I left school, I was given the option to join Young Adult Carers and I'm so glad I did. The support they provide is incredible, especially Amanda."
Having a community and network of support is so fundamental to young people caring for someone or, in Sophie’s case, multiple people. Having the right tools and professionals there to guide, offer opportunities, and help them to connect with others is what really builds their confidence and enables them to feel part of something important.
Being referred to us 15 years ago, at the age of 5, Rhys understands just how beneficial support and guidance is to young carers growing up in ensuring they have equal opportunities to other young people.
He explained how being receiving support and advice from our team has “provided [him] with excellent opportunities.”
Rhys’ story highlights the positive impact of early identification and intervention for young carers.