Ealing young carers
Young carers are children and young people under 18 who look after someone in their family who has an illness, a disability, a mental health problem or a substance misuse problem, taking on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult.
Young carers are often totally consumed with their responsibilities and as such are isolated from forms of support and activities and at risk of impacting their emotional, physical wellbeing or educational achievement and life chances.
- 68% of young carers are bullied in schools
- Over 39% of young carers had not informed their teacher or any member of staff that they were a young carer
- 27% of young carers (aged 11–15) miss school or experience educational difficulties (40% where children care for a relative with drug or alcohol problems).
(Commissioning Services for Young Carers and their Families)
Ealing joint working protocol
Ealing has developed a joint working protocol (pdf) which aims to promote the identification of young carers and ensure they are provided appropriate support to help them reach their potential and enjoy a positive childhood.
Supporting young carers in schools
Schools are encouraged to take an active role in the identification and support of potential young carers.
Advice and guidance for primary and secondary school staff (pdf)
Ealing young carers project
The Ealing Young carers project is run by Brentford FC community Sports Trust and supports young carers between ages 8-18 years who live in Ealing .
Young carers are children and young people who look after someone in their family who has illness, a disability, or is affected by ill-health or substance misuse. Young carers often carry out day-to-day household responsibilities usually undertaken by adults. These include household chores, physical help, providing care to a disabled sibling, paying bills, shopping, or administering medication.
The service provides:
- Weekly youth clubs in Hanwell
- Fortnightly club in Brentford
- Activities and day trips in school holidays
- Employability support
- One to one support
- Specialist workshops such as first aid.
See leaflet under downloads.
The service accepts self-referrals and referrals from professionals. For more information or to request a referral form please contact:
Kathryn Sobczak
Email: Ksobczak@brentfordfccst.com
Tel: 07926 591468
Support for schools
Ealing young carers project now have a part time dedicated member of staff who will be supporting schools in the borough to identify young carers and promote referrals to the Ealing Young Carers Project.
As part of this, they will visit several primary and secondary schools to help with identification through assemblies and staff training. They will also be able to support young carers during school time in one to one and group settings for a limited time period.
Please contact Matthew Thurlow mthurlow@brentfordfccst.com
SAFE service (Supportive Action for Families in Ealing)
SAFE will undertake an assessment of the needs of the young carer and their family and implement with them and other key professionals and family members a plan to meet these needs.
To access SAFE a referral is needed to Ealing Children’s Integrated Response Service (ECIRS)
020 8825 8000 / ECIRS@ealing.gov.uk
General queries
SAFE West 020 8825 9800, safewestteam@ealing.gov.uk
SAFE East 020 8825 7606, actonealingsafe@ealing.gov.uk
