Process map and suggestions on how to put the stages into action
Process map to reflect on:
Examples of ways to identify young carers
- Hold regular events in schools and colleges.
- Hold regular events in communities.
- Liaise with GP surgeries, clinics and hospitals as appropriate.
- Consider universal services (housing, employment centres).
- Identify young carers on admission to school.
- Appoint young carer champions.
- Check that the referral and assessment process complies with the Care Act 2014. For example, does the adult assessment form include a question about who is providing care?
Features of a transition assessment
- What the person’s current needs for support are and how these are affecting their wellbeing.
- Whether the person is likely to have needs post-18.
- Which needs are eligible for support.
- What the person wants to achieve in their day-to-day life and how care and support could contribute to this.
- Information and advice on adult social care.
Timing of assessments
A young carer’s age (14-17) would be a trigger as well as changes in their needs and in a number of factors at home.
For an example of an assessment/planning tool for young carers, see: My Life Now – Individual Assessment and Planning Tool for Young Carers’.
What might an effective plan look like?
- Identify some outcomes.
- Have a way of monitoring whether the outcomes are being achieved.
- Establish whether the person is being supported to be as independent as possible.
When young carers no longer have a caring role after they turn 18
The following is a list of the types of information that young carers who do not have a caring role after they turn 18 may need:
- social care services that will be withdrawn
- employment – volunteering to build up work experience, writing a CV, interview skills, careers advice, self-employment and so on
- education – learning new skills, additional qualifications, colleges, careers advice, funding options
- health, health checks, keep-fit classes
- leisure and social activities
- avoiding loneliness, keeping busy
- benefits
- housing
- social care for non-carer-related needs (as appropriate)
- living without any tool or equipment that they had used as a carer (e.g. telecare equipment), and anything else that will be withdrawn
- support services
- how to contact social care should they become a carer again.