Young Carers Covenant
Marking Young Carers Action Day, Carers Trust launched the landmark Young Carers Covenant, aiming to transform the lives of over one million children who are caring.
Inspired by the Armed Forces Covenant, the Covenant sets out 10 key goals, as well as actions that organisations and individuals can take to help young carers reach their full potential.
The Covenant was drawn up by young carers, supported by national charity Carers Trust.
The goals range from ensuring young carers are identified at the earliest possible opportunity, to making sure they can access training and employment opportunities.
Multiple disadvantages
The time young people spend caring can have a devastating impact on their wellbeing, education and future prospects. A 2023 Carers Trust survey of carers aged under 25 showed 33% always or usually struggle to balance caring with school, college or university work. Two-fifths (40%) said they don’t get the help they need to balance caring and learning.
For those young adult carers who are employed, 45% said they always or usually struggle to balance caring with paid work.
The Young Carers Covenant aims to tackle these issues by asking organisations and individuals to commit to do what they can to make its goals a reality. Suggested actions include employers committing to more flexible working practices for young adult carers.
Immediate participation
Within 24 hours of the Covenant’s launch, on 13th March, more than 120 people and organisations had sighed up, including South Tyneside Council and the Queen’s Nursing Institute.
Groups and individuals can sign the Covenant, here.
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