The voice of a young carer is one that often goes unheard, yet it can carry immense strength, resilience, and complexity.
Young carers are children and teenagers who provide care for a family member or close friend with physical disabilities, mental health challenges, chronic illnesses, or addiction issues. These young people, often under the age of 18, take on responsibilities that can range from household chores and managing medications to providing emotional support and even intimate personal care. Their voices, shaped by the pressures of adulthood thrust upon them too early, reveal a unique intersection of vulnerability, courage, and quiet sacrifice.
At the heart of their voice, young carers can display a deep sense of responsibility. Many young carers speak of their caregiving duties as something they feel obligated to do, not out of obligation in the conventional sense, but out of love, duty, and the familial bonds that tie them to the person they are caring for. Often, they speak of their care work in a matter-of-fact way, unaware that their experiences are far beyond what is typically expected of someone their age. This normalisation of caregiving can mask the emotional toll it takes on them, as they are often reluctant to express feelings of frustration, sadness, or exhaustion for fear of seeming ungrateful or disloyal to the person they are helping.
Young carers often articulate feelings of isolation. Their responsibilities can set them apart from their peers, who may not understand the demands of their home life. While their friends might be focused on school, extracurricular activities, or socialising, young carers are balancing these same demands with the additional weight of caregiving. Many describe missing out on experiences typical of childhood and adolescence, from sleepovers to school trips, because their care work comes first. This isolation is often compounded by a lack of support from schools or social services, as young carers may struggle in silence, not wanting to burden others with their problems or fearing stigma.
Despite these challenges, the voice of a young carer is also one of resilience. They speak of the skills they have developed through their caregiving roles, such as time management, empathy, and patience. Many young carers express pride in their ability to care for their loved ones and find strength in the unique bond they share. The caregiving role can deepen their sense of compassion and responsibility, and some even describe it as shaping their future ambitions, with many aspiring to enter professions in healthcare, social work, or advocacy.
However, beneath the resilience, there is also a longing for recognition and support. Young carers often want their voices to be heard—not in a way that diminishes their pride in their role, but in a way that acknowledges the need for better resources, understanding, and relief. They call for more awareness in schools, where staff might recognise the signs of a young carer struggling with their dual responsibilities, and for more services to provide respite or emotional support. The first step in supporting young carers is identification. Many young carers are hidden; they may not openly discuss their responsibilities due to fear of stigma or being taken away from their family. Schools often try to create an environment where students feel safe to disclose their caregiving roles. This can be achieved through staff training to raise awareness about the signs that a student might be a young carer, such as frequent absenteeism, tiredness, or difficulty concentrating.
Supporting young carers in schools is a multifaceted endeavour that requires awareness, empathy, and coordinated efforts. By identifying young carers, providing comprehensive support, and fostering a caring school environment, schools can help these students achieve their full potential. Through these efforts, schools can make a significant positive impact on the lives of young carers, ensuring they have the same opportunities as their peers to succeed academically, socially, and emotionally. It is essential to recognise and value the unique challenges young carers face and to offer them the necessary support to balance their educational goals with their caregiving responsibilities.
To learn more about supporting young carers, our partner schools can liaise with their Mast link educational psychologist and access the resources and support below:
Young Carers Support Hub - Plymouth Online Directory (Plymouth Online Directory)
About Us - Caring as a Young Carer (Carer’s Trust)
Young Carers | Westbank (Westbank Devon Young Carers)
Young carers | Barnardo's (Barnardo’s Young Carers)
Young Carers | Mental Health Advice | Young Minds (Young Minds)
