Issue - meetings

The Panel is asked to provide information about the support mechanisms / groups that are available for Young Carers and identify if there are any particular gaps in provision.

The Director of Children's Services & Education introduced the report to the Panel and highlighted the following sections.

·  Bath & North East Somerset Council has commissioned the Carers Centre to deliver a Young Carers Service, which holds the Councils’ delegated authority to provide statutory needs assessments for young carers on request as per The Children and Families Act (2014). The Young Carers Service has a dedicated Team to assess and support young carers locally. The Young Carers Service, in partnership with other services, promote awareness of young carers and ensure that their needs are identified through Early Help assessments, with clear guidance for practitioners.

·  The Young Carers Service delivers a wide range of short breaks and youth activities for different age groups throughout the year, which provide opportunities for young carers to have a break from their caring role and spend time with their peers. The activities are informed by young carers and their families.

·  The Young Carers Service delivers Wellbeing Groups for young carers, providing emotional support and strategies for coping with the stresses that come with caring.

·  The Young Carers Service delivers Family Events for young carers and their families, giving them the opportunity to spend quality time as a family and meet and connect other families who may have similar needs.

·  The Young Carers Service provide training, advice and information to schools. Schools are encouraged to offer proactive support to Young Carers in their settings, such as Young Carers Support Groups, a ‘Delegated Lead’ for young carers so that they know who the ‘trusted adult/s’ are that they can talk to, and ensure there are processes in place for staff to know who the young carers are in their school and guidance on how they can be supported.

·  If a young carer is bereaved, the Carers Centre would support them to find a relevant service such as Winston’s Wish or We Hear You, who are experts in providing this support. A very small proportion of Young Carers in BANES have had a parental bereavement or are caring for a parent with a terminal condition.

·  The Children and Families Act 2014 gives young carers and young adult carers in England a right to a carer's assessment and to have their needs met (if the assessment shows this is needed).

·  B&NES Council outlined its commitment to young carers in The B&NES Young Carers Strategy 2022–2024. The Strategy is an excellent example of co-production by B&NES Council, Young Carers and The Carers Centre which set out six priority areas covering Recognition of young carers; What Young Carers Need - Deliver young carers needs assessments on request for all young carers; Support for Young Carers; Help others understand Young Carers; Always involve Young Carers and their families; Growing and changing with Young Carers – Transition primary – secondary- tertiary – adult services as a carer.

Kevin Burnett asked how Young Carers were identified.

The Director of Children's Services & Education replied that information is available to all schools to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26