July 2023 Newsletter - Young Carers

In this update

The NHS in England at 75: priorities for the future
Young Carers update - July 2023
Working Together to safeguard Children 2023 - Consultation
Engaging Carers from Ethnic Minority Communities - Best Practice Guide
Hidden Harm
Plymouth City Council - Targeted support programme for young carers aged, 8-18 years old
Activities and Events for SEND - Summer 2023
Barnardo's support for Young Carers
Time 4 U request for support
Useful links

Welcome to our latest newsletter, which we hope you find useful and informative. If there's a colleague or another provider in your network that you think would like to receive the newsletter, please feel free to forward it onto them.

Please let us know if you have anything you would like us to share or publicise in a future issue.

The NHS in England at 75: priorities for the future

The following report was recently published on the NHS Assembly Site: The-NHS-in-England-at-75-priorities-for-the-future.pdf (longtermplan.nhs.uk)

Ahead of the NHS's 75th birthday, the NHS Assembly has developed an independent report: The NHS in England at 75: priorities for the future.This will help the NHS, nationally and locally, respond to long term opportunities and challenges.

There are multiple references to carers throughout this document including the importance of support and participation of carers.

Young Carers update - July 2023

The team at Plymouth Young Carers recently attended the Young Carers Weekend in Southampton, which is a weekend designed to provide opportunities for young people to enjoy a break from their responsibilities, have fun, make new friends, and have their voices heard on issues that affect them. In recent years, consultation with young carers has resulted in two changes in legislation to help support their needs and those of their families. The festival has so many incredible activities available, such as a roller disco, pamper/chill-out zone, radio station, fun fitness classes, a live band on the main stage, as well as fireworks and fairground rides.

For many of the young carers, this was their first experience camping, being away from home, and attending a festival. This unforgettable experience has increased their confidence, provided opportunities to try new things, and developed their relationships with friends and youth workers.

Working Together to safeguard Children 2023 - Consultation

The anticipated consultation on the new Working Together to Safeguard Children Statutory Guidance has now gone live, please see the attached letter and these links to the draft guidance and where they fit within the consultation survey - Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023: draft for consultation (education.gov.uk) and Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023 - consultation document (education.gov.uk)

The consultation will run for 11 weeks from 21st June and there are a number of free online Eventbrite information sessions you can book onto in that time (the first one is in 2 days - booking details and dates are within the letter).

This is a public consultation where feedback is appreciated from all, including - any child (under 18), care leavers up to age 25, adults or organisations.

The consultation feedback mechanism is preferred by way of an online survey - Working Together to Safeguard Children: changes to statutory guidance - Department for Education - Citizen Space, however if this is not possible there is an email address for feedback - WorkingTogether2023.consultation@education.gov.uk

Engaging Carers from Ethnic Minority Communities - Best Practice Guide

Engaging Carers from Ethnic Minority Communities Best Practice Guide - Shared on behalf of Commitment to Carers Programme, North West Carers Lead

Through the Greater Manchester Carer's Charter, we all have a commitment to identify and support carers regardless of their age, gender or ethnicity - but we know there are extra steps we need to take to meet the needs of carers from ethnic minority communities and for us all to be more culturally aware and tolerant.

To reduce inequalities experienced by ethnic minority carers, professionals from across the system must take responsibility for actively listening and giving a voice to these individuals. By listening to these individuals we can then empower them with knowledge and give them the confidence to seek additional support. By working with kindness and sensitivity and developing trust, we put ourselves in a position where we can try things differently and innovate.

Read the guidance

Hidden Harm

Hamoaze House, Hidden Harm Team work with children aged 5 -18 who are affected by problematic use of alcohol and other substances. They provide dedicated early intervention support in a variety of ways:

Support can take place at school, home or in the community. We offer one to one emotional support and coping strategies.
Support to gain an understanding around substances and their effects and substance treatment plans.

Team contact: jkiernan@hamoazehouse.org.uk

Activities over summer

Hamoaze House offers group trampolining sessions specifically for Hidden Harm users every other Wednesday 4 - 4.30pm. This is run by our gym manager Sam Dyer and are free for those under Hidden Harm to access.

Hamoaze is also running a fit and fed summer holiday club which is available. Book now by getting in touch with Sam on sdyer@hamoazehouse.org.uk .

Plymouth City Council - Targeted support programme for young carers aged, 8-18 years old

The Plymouth City Council Community Youth Work team leads a citywide targeted support programme for young carers aged, 8-18 years old. The aim of the programme is to provide young carers respite from their caring role, a space for them to feel safe and to have someone to talk to. The weekly session's enables young carers to socialise with like-minded young people, reduce feelings of isolation, have opportunities to be creative and engage in positive fun activities, whilst providing long term support to help young people deal with the issues that impact on their day to day lives.

Outside of these youth sessions there is some scope to offer short term one to one support to young carers who find it difficult to engage in a large group or would benefit from a more targeted approach to support their emotional and mental well-being.

Team contact: kerry.powell-tuckett@plymouth.gov.uk

Activities and Events for SEND - Summer 2023

Are you looking for things to do in the Plymouth area over the school holidays including activities suitable for young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND)?

If so, the latest SEND Newsletter is now available and includes many FREE activities and events.

Download the latest edition in either PDF or Word format from: SEND Newsletter: Summer 2023

Barnardo's support for Young Carers

Barnardo's have a dedicated team who work alongside young carers on a one to one basis focusing on a whole family approach. With the use of a young person led support plans they aim to reduce the impact of the negative aspects of caring and ensuring each young person feels listened to.

Long term work enables us to offer significant support to young people and their parents with an emphasis on building resilience and self-esteem, exploring opportunities to get a break from caring and raising aspirations.

Team contact: lauren.wadey@barnardos.org.uk

Time 4 U request for support

A more streamlined approach to accessing support for young carers and young people affected by hidden harm is in its final stages. After consultation the new format was presented at the Young Carers and Service Family Leads Hub Meeting in June and received positive feedback. The team are hoping to launch the new process for the start of the academic year, September 2023.

For more information please contact time4u@plymouth.gov.uk or kerry.powell-tuckett@plymouth.gov.uk Time4u Partnership,working together to support children, young people, and families.