Young carers rights

Young Carers Assessment

The Young Carers Locality Co-ordinator will arrange a time and place to meet with you, this could be at home or at school. They will ask you about your caring role. They will listen to you and will find out how it affects your life and what help you may want.

Carers Assessment (Carers and Disabled Children Act 2000)

If you are over 16 and you provide care to someone over the age of 18, you are entitled to a Carers Assessment. This simply means that a Social Worker will come and have a chat to you about the kind of things that you do and the care that you give.

Benefits of having a Carers Assessment:-

• A listening ear – someone will spend time with YOU. They may take you out and talk about anything that you want to talk about. You set the agenda and they listen!
• Financial help – sometimes you can get small amounts of money to join a club you’re interested in, or some help with a respite break away.

Devon Carers Link

Devon Carers Link is a register of carers, some benefits for you if you join the Devon Carers Link:-

• You and your family will be able to have a free benefits check.
• You will receive a Devon Carers Link newsletter (a different one from the Kids who Care newsletter)
• You can apply for Flexible Break Grant money to enable you to have a break from your caring responsibility e.g. school holiday, membership to a club, swimming lessons, music tuition or any activity which would give you a break.
  To apply for a Flexible Break Grant ring Devon Carers Link on 0845 6431 341 or ask a member of Kids Who Care Staff to do it for you.

Carers Allowance

Young carers who are over 16 years old may be entitled to a Carers Allowance of approx £53.10 per week if:-

• The person who you care for is in receipt of Attendance Allowance or the medium to higher rate of Disability Living Allowance.
• You provide care for more than 35 hours per week.
• You are not be in full time education for more than 21 hours per week.
• You are not earning more than £95 per week.

To view information on Carers Allowance see website www.direct.gov.uk/carers

Or contact Carers Allowance Unit, Palatine House, Lancaster Road, Preston PR1 1HN Tel: 01253 856 123