Young Carers

Outcome

115 Young carers will report that even during the immediate and subsequent impact of COVID-19 they were supported to look after their own needs.

100 Cared for people will report they feel happier that their young carers needs were being supported during the same period

Results

105 young carers were provided with support throughout the year including during lockdown and through out the phased return out of lockdown. The support we offered was a blend of one to one telephone support with an allocated worker at the same day and time each week. This provided consistency in the support we offered as well as a sense of routine and allowed a trusting relationship to develop between allocated member of staff and the young carer. This trusting relationship meant that workers could respond quickly to emerging needs of individual children and their families as young carers felt able to communicate this with their allocated worker having spoken to them on a regular basis. We provided group opportunities through online platforms such as zoom and the one to one tailored support also incorporated confidence building in some of our young carers to feel better able to cope on an online chat room discussion. The group chats meant that young carers could still feel connected.

Case study

Jamie was initially referred to young carers’ services in 2019 at the age of seven. He was the main carer for mum who has complex health needs including seizures, minimal sight and mobility issues. Jamie provided emotional support, support to physically guide mum when out of the home and practical support to monitor seizures and contact emergency services if needed. The household comprised of mum and Jamie only, with minimal support from family living locally.

Jamie was assessed and identified as having severe anxiety, experiencing loneliness and having little opportunity for respite. He was provided a space in group work provision, in the form of weekly young carer support groups.
Jamie attended regularly, enjoying the groups and presenting well over all. Anxiety seeming to be less of a barrier that initially thought. In 2020, during lockdown, Jamie’s anxiety was heightened and a unique view of his anxiety through lack of attendance in group sessions, particularly digital sessions, was observed. Jamie was subsequently offered one-to-one sessions in the community to provide mum and Jamie with respite. Jamie formed a closer relationship with staff during these sessions and began to disclose more concerns over mum’s health, separation anxiety and concerns about the implications of Covid-19 on his family.
Through liaising with mum and Jamie, meals were provided to support them. Jamie returned to face-to-face provision in 2021 and this, alongside the relationship with mum allowed staff to continue to support Jamie to attend groups. Jamie was assessed through his YCS and this allowed a further insight into his concerns over mum’s wellbeing whilst he was out of the home. Through discussions with mum, Jamie and school we were able to provide Jamie with additional reassurances and strategies to attend school, groups and leave mum to play with friends. Jamie attended our recent residential which was an enormous milestone for him and mum, as Jamie was previously unable to leave due to anxiety. In order to make this a success there was a clear plan put in place for Jamie to feel reassured of mum’s wellbeing whilst away for two nights. This included evening calls to mum, facilitated by staff.

Feedback from mum:
“young carers are an amazing service the support they provide is incredible not just to my son but us as a family! It means so much to me to see how much they genuinely care about my boy. He always has so much fun and comes home happy and care free after each session”
After residential:
“Just want to say a massive thank you for being so accommodating for his needs and making it so much easier for him and myself. You really are amazing! I’m so proud of him for going and thankful he has the opportunity. Thank you so much for letting him call me”

Outcome

115 young carers aged between 7 and 25 years will access weekly short break support from our Young carers services (either remotely by Zoom group or if the lockdown stops from face to face group work)

Results

Our young carer project workers have created some amazing activity resources for young carers to do in the home, suitable for all age ranges and we have shared this with all the families and the wider team. We also worked with activity providers and small business to offer interactive sessions such as dance and yoga. We were successful in a grant from SCVO to purchase technology/devices for young carer, which has allowed them to interact with us digitally enabling those who do not currently have this facility to take part in weekly support. We have also applied for equipment which enables staff to work more effectively when working at home. We have good relationships with schools in South West Edinburgh and have been liaising with them to best support vulnerable young people in the catchment. We are constantly learning each day around issues arising from the pandemic and how this is affecting our young carers and their families. We regularly review and adapt if required.

Case study

Sabrina is 23 and has been a young carer since she can remember. Before she was born her mother became a triple amputee and her father had already been diagnosed with dementia. Sabrina found school particularly difficult and suffered bullying throughout. As Sabrina’s mother would not allow outside support into the home, due to having a deep distrust for social work, Sabrina felt extremely isolated and self-harmed as a way to cope.
Sabrina was not identified as a young carer until 2017, when she was 20 years old. Busy in her multiple caring role, and also supporting her older brother who has ADHD and learning difficulties, Sabrina read philosophical books and painted in her spare time as a way to distract herself from the difficult issues she was managing day to day.
Sabrina joined Space Young Adult Carers at the start of 2021, halfway through her second year studying Illustration at Edinburgh College. Sabrina was nervous about upcoming assessments and her application to Glasgow School of art. She was particularly concerned about the reaction her family might have to her transitioning out of the house were she to be successful.
Sabrina began to regularly access 1:1 support to talk through her feelings and plan her next moves. After several weeks she decided to attend our weekly online zooms. We supported Sabrina to participate in some face to face groups next, which provided an opportunity for peer support as well as much needed respite from her role at home.
Sabrina’s family were not happy when Glasgow School of Art offered her a place on the 3rd year of a degree programme. Sabrina was asked to pack her bags and leave. Sabrina was shocked and hurt, and was feeling very vulnerable once again. I offered support and connected Sabrina with the Rock Trust, who informed her about a service called night-stop (respite accommodation when needed). After a few days of staying out with the family home, Sabrina was asked to return, which she did.
We are continuing to support Sabrina as she navigates this very difficult and emotional transition. Sabrina feels that our regular conversations help her to stay focused on her long term goals and allow her to work through conflicting feelings about leaving her caring role. Sabrina is currently accessing therapy with our in-house counsellor and therapist as she prepares to move out in September.

Outcome

115 young carers aged between 7 and 25 years will access weekly short break support from our Young carers services (either remotely by Zoom group or if the lockdown stops from face to face group work)

Results

105 young carers had access to regular support with a trusted adult either through our project workers, sessional workers and volunteers. Through building these trusted relationships, young carers felt more able to communicate and reach out to ask for help when required. A range of wider support was also offered through partner organisations such as princes trust, skills development scotland, local colleges and outdoor education organisations. This provided opportunities for self growth and development enabling young carers to feel their individual needs and aspirations were being met along with fitting round caring roles and some of the barriers this presented them with.
For some young carers and young adult carers, support was required in order for them to transition out of a caring role and the support our staff provided enabled a smoother transition as each individual experience is unique to them and plans were adapted to suit each young carers needs.

Case study

Lara is 17, and cares for both her brother and her mother. Lara was referred to us via social work at the start of 2021. Lara has been attending CAMHS alongside her brother who has been diagnosed ASD. Lara has been suffering from a combination of anxiety and low mood for some time and CAMHS were keen to offer support both to her and her brother.
Lara’s caring role has been complex and challenging since the breakdown of her parents relationship a few years ago, however, the pressures of the pandemic seemed to make the situation at home caring for both her brother who has ADHD and her other siblings (two other brothers) and her Mother who suffers from chronic poor mental health, completely overwhelming. Lara found high school environment particularly difficult and struggled to attend classes regularly due to feeling overwhelmed and anxious much of the time. At home her brother’s impulsive and sometimes aggressive behaviour during times she was expected to study at home made things very difficult for Lara.
At first Lara was apprehensive about attending group, so instead Lara met for several walk and talks in her local park with me. I learned about Lara’s interests and many skills, as well as how much Lara had been struggling to cope in her caring role at times. We supplied Mara with a wellbeing pack which encouraged her family to go to a local park bistro for lunch, which although local to the family they had never accessed before. We also applied for a time to live grant, and purchased Lara an electronic drawing pad as well as an essential oil diffuser to create a relaxing atmosphere in her bedroom.
After meeting me 1:1 over a few weeks, Lara felt confident enough that she decided to attend one of our weekly Young Adult Carer groups. Lara has been attending almost every week and has already made some new friends. She has been supported with 1:1’s when and as required, and has participated in a range of information sessions and fun respite opportunities. Mara continues to benefit from attending the groups, and perhaps most importantly has learned to ask for help when she needs it. At the end of the summer Lara plans to begin a one year volunteer opportunity in Germany and I will be supporting her as she transitions out of her family home.