Webinar: From problematic tasks to manageable roles: Supporting young carers as a large but diverse population.

Abstract

Young carers are children and young people who have caring responsibilities for familiy members. Previously considered as a small group with substantial roles who access specialist young carer projects, prevalence estimates of 17% in Wales (School Health Research Network, 2023) suggest they should be investigated as a larger but more diverse population in terms of their caring responsibilities and impacts.

This webinar will include a summary of the results of a mixed methods study of the wider young carer population. Ed will then present a model of the young carer spectrum that includes the impacts of substantial caring responsibilities but also more manageable roles and particularly problematic caring situations. The model also incorporates the tiering of support needs that better reflects the diversity of the group.

The webinar will finish with consideration of key questions including if it is possible to support the whole young carer population; the differing role of specialist projects, mainstream services and informal support within families; and the ongoing challenge of doing so when a population is marginalised and reluctant to engage with services.

Biography

Ed Janes is a mixed methods researcher in the School of Psychology, Cardiff University. His research interests include children’s social care, including young carers and adoption. He has also worked with children’s rights organisations in the voluntary sector.