Abstract
This article presents examples from England of the participation of children with caring responsibilities (young carers) in policy and practice at both local and national levels. The ‘voices' of young carers themselves have become more prominent at many levels and in diverse contexts such as through local young carers’ fora and through dialogue with decision makers, including social care commissioners and Members of Parliament. This participation has for a number of years in England, been strongly advocated for and facilitated by voluntary sector services in particular. Drawing on a number of practice examples, the article will highlight a range of young carers' participatory activity and the extent to which this is woven into policy development and practice. It will consider the processes and protocols of recruitment and safeguarding and the outcomes of young carers' participation, including the influence of their ‘voices’ in bringing about real change and the impacts on themselves as individuals. Consideration will be given as to whether the voices of young carers has been truly representative of children and young people with caring responsibilities and where particular attention may need to be focused when listening to their voices. The potential risks of young carers' participation at a practical level will be explored as well as the barriers to participation for young carers and approaches for enhancing their participation.
Highlights
According to the most recent census (Office for National Statistics, 2011), there are 166,363 ‘young carers’ in England
National Young Carers Coalition (NYCC) members viewed the participation of young carers as essential to the campaign in informing and grounding its messages
Choosing appropriate times for participation that do not conflict with a young carer’s education are important and developing training films for professionals that include the voices of young carers, as developed with the NYCC, will reduce the need for young people to miss their schooling
Summary
According to the most recent census (Office for National Statistics, 2011), there are 166,363 ‘young carers’ (aged 5–17) in England. A vibrant charity sector, or ‘third sector’, has become established in the UK, supporting young carers through young carer ‘projects’ or services This includes several national organisations that seek to develop policy and practice, support young carers directly and campaign on their behalf. Originally developed in response to early research (e.g., Aldridge & Becker, 1993), have played a significant role in shaping their own models of practice, by listening and responding to the voices of young carers. They have provided a platform for the voices of young carers at a national level. It explores safeguarding and recruitment and how this relates to young carers, before discussing key issues around the participatory rights of young carers and their best interests, barriers to participation and improving engagement and whether the voices of young carers have been representative
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