Who is a Young Carer?

A young carer is any child or young person who is looking after a parent, a brother or sister, relative or friend who has a long term illness, a physical disability or a mental health problem.  

Young carers spend time doing things for other people who cannot do those things for themselves, examples of the things young carers might do include:

• helping someone to eat or bath
• giving someone their medicine
• keeping an eye on someone if they drink too much alcohol or take dangerous drugs

Sometimes young carers miss out on important things like school, sports, hobbies and socialising because they’re so busy helping out or they are worried about the person they look after. It is important that young carers get the help and advice that they need to tackle anything that rises around their caring role.

How to request an Assessment

In Milton Keynes City Council the service responsible for assessing the 'looked after' person is also responsible for assessing and responding to the needs of the young carer. This means that, usually, Children’s Services take the lead for young carers of disabled children and Adult Services take the lead where the cared for person is an adult although the services will work together and input is likely to be required from both.

• The point of contact in Adults Services is the Access Team
• The point of contact in Children Services is MASH

More Information, Help and Support (Young Carers MK)

Young Carers MK is a specialist service to support young carers living in Milton Keynes.

Young Carers MK can help to make sure the person that is being looked after gets the help they need from the council, it also can help the young carer by offering support and activities including:

• a chance to talk to someone about your situation
• youth clubs, trips out and social events