1. Young Carers Alternative Child Rearing Practices Presentation Wednesday 25th January 2017
Use this slide to explain that we are here to create some awareness of who Young Carers, how we can support them through the organisation and how different organisations can refer to the project.

2. Definition of a Young Carer
A Young Carer is a child / young person who cares for someone within their family. This could be their Mum, Dad, Brother, Sister, Nan and / or Grandad.
This is a good opportunity to discuss the point that the caring role doesn’t have to be within the household, e.g. separated parents who still have contact, a Grandparent with dementia, etc.

3. A Young Carer may be Caring for Someone with one or more of the following conditions:
A Physical Disability
Autism
Mental Health
Problems
Drug and / or alcohol
misuse
Dementia
Go through the slide with the group and ensure they know that any of the following conditions would make a young person and Young Carer.

4. Services that the Young Carers Project Provide:
We support Young Carers aged between 8 and their 19 birthday and also have a
group called the Young Adult Carers (YAC), which is a social group from the ages
of 14 to 25.
A fun respite session every week for the Young Carers to attend – this can
include cooking, arts and crafts, swimming and ice skating, to name just a few.
A weekly tutor session, with a fully qualified teacher and tutor.
Sub Group – this is board made up of young people who want to feed their ideas
into the project. This helps to promote independent thinking, taking
responsibility and team work skills.
1:1 support inside and outside of school – this can be anything from emotional
support, to accessing health, education and / or understanding a diagnosis and
the emotional impact around this.
Access to volunteering opportunities.
Young Carers in Schools Project – we are currently working with Barking Abbey, Eastbury Community School and Manor Infants and Juniors.
Support workers will attend any meetings to feedback on the young people, this includes core groups and TAF’s.
Read to the group and make sure they know how extensive our support can be.
Also mention here, the under 8’s pilot.

5. Signs and Symptoms that a Child / Young Person Could be a Young Carer
Unkept or change in appearance
Often tired, anxious or withdrawn
Secretive about home life
Regular lateness
Anxious about a parent and / or sibling being unwell
Low attendance and / or missing regular days of school
Appears depressed or has low moods
Challenging behaviour
Is not able to attend extra circular clubs and / or activities
Signs and Symptoms that a Child / Young Person Could be a Young Carer
Physical problems, including back pain
A victim of bullying
Showing signs of neglect or a poor diet
Finding it hard to concentrate on work
Go through this with the group and only reveal the first section of the slide and ask the group to think about this on each table and feed back to the group as a whole.
Problems socially and not able to make friends easily with peers
Conversely better with adults and present older than their age
Reluctant to go home
Not getting homework done or completed on time

6. Now let’s hear from some of our current Young Carers...

7. If you are supporting a young person or family who you think may benefit from the Young Carers Project, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us on any of the contact details below:
Telephone: (ask to speak to either Carron or Hannah)
Mobile:
Address: 334 Heathway, Dagenham, Essex, RM10 8NJ
Facebook: BD YC Young Carers
Twitter: @BandDCarers
Ensure these details are put on the screen for a reasonably period of time.
Please also be assured that there is only one form to fill in, per family.

8. Diversity of Young Carers Who Attend

9. Diversity of Young Carers Staff & How Needs Are Meet

10. TACIT Knowledge

11. Harder to Engage Families
Not exploring other options in the wider community
Family feels additional support is not required
Extended family are readily available
Reluctant to engage with services – fears that social services will get involved
Difficulties of Engaging Harder to Reach Families
Culture and religion - fear of their children losing their identity
Lack of trust and understanding regarding the aims of the project
The importance of education, meaning no time to attend respite services
Not acknowledging the possible impact of a caring role
Worship expectations

12. Thank you for Listening
Please remember, if you are supporting a young person or family who you think may benefit from the Young Carers Project, please do not hesitate to get in touch with us on any of the contact details below:
Telephone: (ask to speak to either Carron or Hannah)
Mobile:
Address: 334 Heathway, Dagenham, Essex, RM10 8NJ
Facebook: BD YC Young Carers
Twitter: @BandDCarers
Ensure these details are put on the screen for a reasonably period of time.
Please also be assured that there is only one form to fill in, per family.