1. Connecting Young Carers Highland Wide Project Raising awareness and identifying Young Carers

2. What does CYC do? Connecting Young Carers is a project that raises awareness about Young Carers and the issues they face Aims to identify Young Carers across the Highlands Raise awareness with agencies who work with young people to recognise and respond to Young Carers and their particular needs Consult with Young Carers around the issues they face and the support they feel they need Provide information to Young Carers about relevant events, funding and local activities through our newsletter, website and other social media Signpost Young Carers and families to other appropriate services.

3. Young Carers - Identification Young Carers are children and young people aged 5 to 24 who provide a considerable amount of care, support or assistance to a family member who has a long term illness, physical disability or learning disability, mental health issues or issues with drugs or alcohol. A young carer could be helping look after a parent, sibling or another close member of their family. Some young people do not see themselves as a carer for their family member and may not realise how important their help is. Not all young people who live with a disabled or ill relative are necessarily providing a significant amount of care.

4. Caring Roles Every family situation varies but caring roles can consist of: Actual physical care and support, moving and handling, personal care and the handling of medication (physical) Practical help within the home – cooking, cleaning, shopping, organising or reminding to pay bills (practical) Helping to look after younger siblings (child care) Emotional support for the cared for person or other family members in the household (emotional) Helping a loved one to attend or arrange medical appointments or access local amenities or social activities (social)

5. Impacts of Caring At School Often tired, late or may leave early Some instances of absences from schools Stressed about the cared for person at home or what they may return home to Unable to concentrate in class or produce homework in time Often unable to attend after school activities Some have experienced bullying, at times in relation to a cared for persons condition Lack of understanding amongst their peer group

6. Impacts of Caring Socially and Emotionally Can be socially isolated due to their family circumstances Difficulty accessing after school and local youth groups either due to caring role or lack of family transport Greater strain on their own mental well-being Some have difficulty making and sustaining friendships Some instances of bullying Unable to take friends home Guilty for wanting to move on and make a life for themselves.

7. Caring for someone with Mental Health Issues Often referred to as “hidden” Young Carers A young person helping to support a family member, more often a parent, with mental ill health are more reluctant to recognise themselves as carer due to a number of possible factors:  At times it may not a visible illness or disability  The illness may be episodic  Embarrassment and stigma surrounding the nature of the illness  Lack of awareness that providing emotional support is just as important a role as providing physical care.

8. Impact of Caring for Parent with Mental Health Issues Some Young Carers have cited the following issues they face as a result of caring for an individual with mental ill-health. strain on their own mental health and wellbeing role reversals in terms of the Young Carer providing the emotional support and encouragement Confusion and stress due to the episodic nature of mental ill-health Some cases where young people may be running the household, ensuring meals are cooked and bills are paid Caring and supporting siblings within the family Worried and stressed about leaving the parent (when at school or other activity)

9. Children affected by parental substance misuse (Capsm) Another group of “hidden” Young Carers less likely to identify themselves and seek support due to the stigma associated with parental substance misuse and fear of the consequences of engaging with services. Are likely to be under considerable stress living in what can be a chaotic situation Stress and worry attempting to conceal or control parental substance misuse Could also be taking on the role of a parent and helping to run the household or care for siblings Can develop low self –esteem and poor coping skills

10. EPIC Principles Carers are identified Carers are free from disadvantage or discrimination related to their caring role Carers are enabled to have a life outside of caring Carers are recognised and valued as equal partners in care Carers are fully engaged in the planning and shaping of services Carers are supported and empowered to manage their caring role “We recognise carers as equal partners in the delivery of care in Scotland and fully acknowledge the expertise, knowledge and the quality of care they give.” Caring Together, the Carers Strategy for Scotland 2010-15”

11. E.P.I.C Young Carer Strategy 2014-2017 New Highland Young Carer Strategy was developed in consultation with Young Carers and the Young Carer Improvement Group and aims to: Improve Identification of Young Carers across Highland Improve access to Information to support Young Carers Increase access to Support for Young Carers Provide Young Carer Awareness Training to agencies involved with young people Provide regular opportunities to consult with Young Carers to enable their voices to be heard Work in partnership to develop more effective support systems for young carers

12. Young Carers in Highland 10% of young people in Secondary schools have a caring role at home 41% of identified young carers in Highland are caring for a parent 27% of Highland young carers are caring for more than one person Around 30% of Highland young carers care for a parent with a mental health issue, and around 10% are living with parental substance misuses 46% of young carers do not feel adequately supported in school Young carers are better informed and supported if they are connecting to a local young carer project

13. Improving Young Carer Support CYC can provide information, support, access to respite and fun activities and funding sources CYC aims to work in partnership with other agencies and services to ensure that Young Carers are identified and referred to local support CYC can participate in Child’s Plan Solution Focussed Meetings CYC can provide Young Carer Awareness Raising Training sessions Where young people are already engaged with services, we aim to work in partnership to ensure resources are used effectively If we work together we can improve the lives of Highland Young Carers

14. Professional’s practice Within the principles of GIRFEC, health, social care and youth work professionals who may already have contact with a family coping with illness, disability or other condition can be well placed to identify Young Carers and to work in partnership via a solution focussed approach. Young Carer Story (hand out) How would you implement the EPIC principles in your practice in this particular case? (discussion)

15. What Young Carers Say “Please remember me when you are dealing with the cared for person, I may have something useful to add.” “Remember that my life is also affected by my loved ones illness or condition, so the decisions you make affect me too.” “Recognise that I may need a break from this situation. I am young and need to have fun too.” “Don’t be patronising. Please give me with the relevant and age appropriate information about my family member.” “If you’re not sure about my role. Ask me. Have the conversation.” “Ask me who else knows about my role.” “Be creative, you might have a solution.”

16. Projects who can offer support Connecting Young Carers- www.connectingyoungcarer.orgwww.connectingyoungcarer.org O1463 723562 or youngcarers@hccf.org.ukyoungcarers@hccf.org.uk Tykes (Sutherland)- www.tykesyc.co.ukwww.tykesyc.co.uk 01408 633017 or golspieyc@aol.comgolspieyc@aol.com Caithness Klics- 07522323479 or caithnessklics@outlook.comcaithnessklics@outlook.com Skye and Lochalsh Young Carers- www.skyeyoungcarers.co.ukwww.skyeyoungcarers.co.uk 01478 613617 or mjagger@slccf.fsnet.co.ukmjagger@slccf.fsnet.co.uk