Young CarersNorthamptonshire Young Carers Service Northamptonshire Young Carers Service exists to help promote the health and wellbeing of young carers and their families. We will work to make sure young carers are identified and recognised within our local community and help to prevent them taking on more responsibility than they should or could cope with. We aim to help them reduce feelings of isolation. We understand that young carers are individuals in individual families and have different needs. We will allow young carers and their families a say in what our support will be with a focus on improving confidence and helping prevent the type of problems that young carer families may face. We aim to promote an understanding of the balance needed between being a Carer and having an opportunity to have hopes and dreams that will in turn help young carers to fulfil their individual potential. About young carers Support How you can help Northamptonshire Young Carers Young Carers News Local and National Support Social & Groups Calendar and Upcoming Events Making a Young Carer Referral How to Make a Young Carer Referral Northamptonshire Young Carers Service supports children and young people between the ages of 5 and 17 who are providing necessary care to a family member who has a long-term illness or disability. It is important to distinguish between a young person who is providing necessary care and a young person who is affected by someone in their family having a long-term illness or disability. By necessary care we mean activities that will not get completed unless the young person does them on a regular basis, for example: cleaning living areas; doing the washing; cooking; personal care; etc. We do have to be mindful about inappropriate caring roles: if a young person was responsible for providing regular personal care then this may be deemed as inappropriate and other services would need to be sought to provide this care. We also have to be mindful of caring activities that are beyond the expectation of a young person's age and ability. If you feel a young person is, or may be, in a caring role, they are entitled to a needs assessment. Support is very much based on assessment and need, which can change over a period of time so reviews can be carried out. We do operate a waiting list so please complete the referral form as fully as possible to ensure we have all information to prioritise the children and young people. We can provide awareness raising sessions for local services. Please contact us if you would like us to attend a team meeting or provide support with resources/materials for Assemblies. Please see how else you can support us If you are unsure of eligibility please read our guidelines for referrers or contact us.