November 2024 Newsletter - Young Carers

In this update

Introduction to our New Service
Carers Rights Day
Children in Need
New Young Carers School Award
No Wrong Doors for Young Carers MoU
Improving Lives Family Fun Day
Government Household Funds
Useful links

We are The Children's Society's new Plymouth Young Carers Service, currently in the planning and design phase and feeling really excited to start our work in the local community. Our team will offer support to young people aged 18 and under who are caring for a family member. We aim to identify and work with young carers throughout our city by working closely with Plymouth Community Youth Support, Time4U, Family Hubs, Schools, and other organisations. We bring a range of experience and training to our roles and will help young carers access the right support, keeping young carers at the heart of our work.

Carers Rights Day 2024

Thursday, 21 November 2024 - This year's theme is Recognising Your Rights

Every day, 12,000 people become unpaid carers for a partner, family member, or a friend - many of whom don't see themselves as carers, often unaware of their legal rights and what they're entitled to in terms of support and benefits. This year's theme is 'recognising your rights', and our aim is to help carers recognise and understand their rights and to access the support available to them. To find out more about this work, contact the Carers Trust Policy team via policy@carers.org.uk.

Children in Need 2024

BBC Children in Need 2024 are committed to helping fund projects across the country that support young carers. This year's programme concentrated heavily on the day-to-day life of young carers, shining a light on the importance of identifying and supporting. This national coverage coincides with the development of our new service in Plymouth.

The New Young Carers School Award

The new Young Carers Award has been redesigned for schools to gain a single award with the added future development of an Award Plus. It is our hope to help schools across Plymouth develop their Young Carers provision with the help and guidance the Award offers. It is based on five standards that were developed following consultation with young carers.

Carers Trust and The Children's Society would like to thank all of the young carers, schools, and carer services who provided feedback during the consultation process.

No Wrong Doors for Young Carers MoU

'No Wrong Doors for Young Carers' is a template Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) designed to improve joint working between adult and children's social care services, integrated care boards, and other key organisations in respect of identification and support for young carers and their families. It covers a range of areas such as identification, whole-family approaches to support, and transitions from children's to adult services.

Adopting the 'No Wrong Doors for Young Carers' MoU will also help local authorities to ensure they are complying with the requirements of the Department for Education's 'Working Together to Safeguard Children 2023' statutory guidance.

To find out more about this work in Plymouth, then please contact Karlina.hall@plymouth.gov.uk.

Improving Lives Plymouth Family Fun Day

The Plymouth Young Carers team will be attending the Family Fun Day on 1 December 2024 at the Plymouth Life Centre PL2 3DG from 10.30-2pm.

Please come and say hello if you are attending this event, as we are looking forward to making connections throughout the city.

For any further information on this event, please email ilp@improvinglifesplymouth.org.uk.

Government Household Funds

Initial eligibility includes families with children under 18 years old and households with members with disabilities. If households require help to complete the application, they can contact the Citizens Advice Household Support Fund team on 01752 982 889. They will need to leave a voicemail with their name and contact number, and they will get back to the family.

Useful links

Please share your stories with us

If you are a Plymouth School and you would like to share your news, stories or information with the wider Young Carers Network in Plymouth, please email

We'd love to share all the amazing things you are doing.

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