Young carers meet ministers to discuss stronger rights to assessment and support

More than 30 young carers met children’s minister Edward Timpson and care minister Norman Lamb last week to discuss the best ways of implementing changes to the Children and Families Bill and Care Bill.

The bills, due to come into force this spring, are expected to give England’s 166,000 young carers stronger rights to an assessment and support.

This means that when a child is identified as a young carer, the needs of everyone in the family will be considered, triggering both children’s and adults’ support services – assessing why a child is caring, what needs to change and what would help the family.

Thea Stein, chief executive of Carers Trust, called the changes “historic”. “Now we want to see these changes take effect,” she said.

Edward Timpson said the government has put in place a “much stronger and more consistent system that gives young carers the support they need – protecting them from excessive or inappropriate caring responsibilities and allowing them to enjoy their childhood”.

Norman Lamb said: “Young carers give their time and energy to support family members and friends. We want to make sure they are supported and do not take on inappropriate or excessive caring responsibilities.”