Young carers: Guidance for healthcare staff
What a young carer is
A young or young adult carer is anybody under the age of 25 who provides care to someone.
The person they are caring for could be a parent, sibling, grandparent or other family member who:
- is disabled
- has a chronic illness
- has a mental health problem
- has a substance misuse problem
- has a condition that they need care, support or supervision for
Types of care
This care might involve helping somebody with:
- getting dressed and washed
- housework, shopping and other everyday tasks
- collecting and giving medication
- communicating with others
- emotional support