Young carers are children and young people who look after someone in their family who has an illness, a disability, or is affected by mental ill-health or substance misuse.
The Young Carers Team supports young people aged 6 to 18 years who are caring for a family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support. Young Carers often take on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult.
In partnership with Vibe, we take a whole family approach to assess and support carers providing support wherever possible. This may include a trip or activity to provide peer support or a one-to-one chat with trained workers. We support families to ensure that they receive a full package of help that they require, making sure all the relevant services are involved. This helps to ensure the young carers do not need to take on inappropriate levels of care that could be detrimental to their own health and wellbeing.
The young carer assessment is child friendly and easily accessible and incorporates many elements of All About Me. Assessments often provide considerable insight into not only the wishes and feelings of children but also their perceptions, which can improve and inform current support plans.
The service also works alongside schools in Knowsley to promote and identify Young Carers. This involves raising awareness through assemblies, training with teaching staff and through the promotion of Young Carers Schools Award.
Criteria
- All answers must be YES to meet the criteria for the young person:
- Young person aged between 6-18 years old
- Lives in Knowsley Borough
- Is aware of the referral, and parent/guardian consent has been given
- Cares for a family member (parent/sibling/other relative)
Contact:
Email: [email protected]
‘Me Time’ programme - Help for young carers
Knowsley Young Carers can access the 'Me Time' programme which is a session for local young carers to take a break from caring for family members. The session runs Monday’s and Wednesdays from various sites in Knowsley, providing opportunities for young carers to get involved in new and exciting activities such as, Camp craft, orienteering, water sports and other outdoor education activities, Cultural trips such as visiting theatres and the cinema or taking part in more mainstream sports such as football, netball etc. Or you can just come and chill with your friends and the youth workers and maybe try some generic youth activities.
To get involved, please contact Steven Blackhurst
Phone: 07585 987 447
Email: [email protected]
Alternatively – contact Sharon McGinnity
Phone: 07775 221 879
Email: [email protected]