About this service
We support families where a child or young person between the ages of 5 – 18 years old is providing care for someone who has a mental health or physical illness, learning or physical disability or a difficulty with drugs or alcohol. By working together with local services, we reduce the caring tasks children and young people provide and support families to improve their child’s health and wellbeing.
More Information
By law, all young carers are entitled to a Young Carers Assessment to ensure the right support is in place for their own development whilst balancing the needs of the person they care for. It is important to acknowledge young carers and let them know of their rights, even if they choose not to have a formal Young Carers Assessment. Young carers so often describe themselves as feeling invisible in their roles. Yet, carers need care too.
Family Support
At assessment, we create a bespoke support plan for Young Carers between the ages of 5 – 18 years old, which consider the needs of the whole family. If a young person requires support with their caring role, our Young Carer Practitioners will work actively to ensure caring roles are at a safe and healthy level and that those who are being cared for receive appropriate, and timely, care and support. The assessment process considers:
- The diagnosis or condition of the cared for, including current medical treatment.
- Care-giving tasks; physical tasks, personal care, emotional support and sibling care.
- The impact of caring on health, wellbeing, education and social inclusion.
A support plan may include:
• One to one support
• Family sessions
• Wellbeing group work
• Referrals and signposting to other services
• Representation at professionals meetings
• Young Carers Ambassadors Programme
• Parent/Carer support
Professionals Support – Creating a Young Carer Friendly Community
We build our community by providing professionals training throughout the year. These sessions are open to all professionals regardless of whether your work is with children, young people or adults. All training is free to attend. Full details and the links to register can be found on our schedule below.
Our free training offer includes:
• Young Carer Champion's Train the Trainer in the identification and Support of Young Carers in your Workplace (half day training)
• Induction to Young Carers (1 hour)
• Young Carers and the School Census (45 minutes)
• Young Carers and the NHS Long Term Plan (45 minutes)
We support external services to achieve a Young Carers Award. This scheme is open to education, statutory services, healthcare and community services.
For more information about our training offer, please contact our team at [email protected]
Windsor & Maidenhead Young Carers Downloads
General information
Resources for professionals
Need different support?
Whatever issues you or your family face, we are here to help. If this service isn’t right for you, you can find a different service, contact our helpline, FamilyLine or browse our self-help articles to find the right support for you.
Call, text, email or web chat FamilyLine
If you’re feeling overwhelmed, worried or upset about any aspect of your family life, FamilyLine is here for you. We offer free emotional support and guidance on family relationships, conflict, parenting, caring, financial worries and more.
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