Time 4 U

What is a young carer?

A young carer is an individual child or young person under the age of 18 who provides unpaid help and support on a regular basis to a family member, friend, or relative. They may provide practical help, care, or physical or emotional support to a person who is vulnerable for a wide variety of reasons, whether through age, physical or mental illness, disability, or other issues such as substance misuse.

A young carer becomes vulnerable when the level of care giving and responsibility to the person in need of care becomes excessive or inappropriate for that child, risking impact on his or her emotional or physical wellbeing, educational achievement and life chances

Plymouth City Council

Plymouth City Council's Community Youth Work Team leads a citywide support programme for young carers aged 8-18. The youth work delivery model provides consistent weekly support for young carers that helps combat isolation, build resilience, self-esteem, and confidence, provide respite from their caring role, and provide a safe space with someone to talk to.

Part of the delivery model includes the opportunity to attend the weekly sessions, where they socialise with other young people, have opportunities to be creative, and engage in positive fun activities. The programme provides long-term support to help young carers deal with the issues that impact their everyday lives and through key development milestones. The service also offers one-to-one support to young carers who find it difficult to socialise in a large group or would benefit from a more targeted approach to support their emotional and mental wellbeing and the impacts of their caring role.

Improving Lives Plymouth

Caring For Carers supports adult carers aged 18+ Many young carers will go on to be carers when they reach the age of 18, and this is when we can undertake a statutory carer assessment with them to look at the support they require to support their health and wellbeing. We can also support other adult family members who may also be caring for the same person as the young carer.

Time 4: U

The Time4U Partnership is made up of the Plymouth City Council Community Youth Team and the newly commissioned service, The Children's Society. The purpose of Time4U is to streamline existing services for young carers, reduce duplication, combine and utilise skills and experience, and ensure even more children, young people, and families benefit from a service.

With so many adult responsibilities, young carers often miss out on opportunities that other children have to play and learn.

Many struggle educationally and are often bullied for being 'different'. They can become isolated, with no relief from the pressures at home and no chance to enjoy a normal childhood.

They are often afraid to ask for help, as they fear letting the family down or being taken care of.

How to request support

To request Young Carers support or services, a 'Time 4U Request for Service Referral Form' will need to be completed. Once the form is received, a panel meeting will be held to assess the referral, and the most appropriate service within Time 4U will then be allocated to best meet the needs of the child, young person, and/or family. To request a form, please email time4u@plymouth.gov.uk.

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