Introduction
Young carers are children and young people under the age of 18 who provide unpaid care for a family member or friend with a disability, long‑term illness, mental health condition or substance‑misuse issue, as defined in Section 96 of the Children and Families Act 2014. Although the 2021 Census reported around 120,000 young carers in England and Wales, this is widely viewed as an underestimate due to low identification rates and the “hidden” nature of caring roles. Their responsibilities often include personal care, emotional support, household tasks, and managing medications, placing them in roles far beyond typical childhood expectations. Young carers are critically important because they fill gaps in formal care systems and support the functioning of families where adult care capacity is limited1,2.
The impact of caring at a young age is significant, with strong evidence linking caring responsibilities to poorer mental health and wellbeing. Young carers report much higher levels of sadness, loneliness and anger compared to non‑carers, with four in ten feeling sad and one in four feeling lonely in the preceding week. They also experience higher rates of self‑harm (25% vs 17%) and are over twice as likely to have attempted to end their life. Longitudinal evidence suggests a small‑to‑moderate increased risk of mental health difficulties, especially for those involved in high‑intensity caring. The effects extend beyond mental health: school attendance, engagement and performance are often negatively impacted, with many young carers reporting missed school days, fatigue and bullying. Social isolation is common, reflected starkly in the 2023 School Census, where 79% of schools recorded no young carers despite surveys showing around one in ten pupils provide high levels of care2,3,4.
These challenges carry substantial costs for society. The poorer health outcomes experienced by young carers increase future demand on health services, while disrupted education can lead to reduced future earnings, lower productivity and greater risk of unemployment. Additionally, the UK’s reliance on unpaid carers—numbering 5.8 million overall—means that gaps in support for young carers can amplify pressure on both families and public services. Without adequate recognition and intervention, young carers may require more intensive social care or mental health support later in life, increasing long‑term public sector expenditure3, 5.
Local authorities have a legal duty to identify young carers, assess their needs and provide appropriate support. However, practice is inconsistent, with only 19% of parents of young carers reporting that their child has ever received a local authority assessment and 64% receiving no support at all. Ofsted’s recent inspections highlight that the most effective local authorities offer comprehensive support, including early help through family hubs, tailored assessments, one‑to‑one sessions, respite opportunities, commissioned wellbeing services and targeted school support, all of which improve attendance, resilience and overall wellbeing. Despite these examples of good practice, identification and support remain uneven, underscoring the need for strengthened local strategies, awareness‑raising and consistent delivery of statutory duties4,6.
Other JSNA topics this topic closely linked to:
- Cancer
- Dementia
- Domestic Abuse
- End of Life Care
- Learning Disability
- Mental Health
- Physical & Sensory Disability
- SEND
- Substance Misuse