Minutes:
The Committee received a report of the Director of Children
and Family Services on Young Carers which outlined the work taking place to
identify, assess and support young carers across Leicestershire. A copy of the
report marked ‘Agenda Item 9’ is filed with these minutes.
At this point of the meeting, Mrs. M. E. Newton CC declared
a non-registerable interest in this item as she had historically been a member
of the Loughborough Young Carers Research Group.
Arising from the discussion, the following points were made:
i.
A member raised concerns about the impact of
caring for a family member on a young person’s health and, in
particular, their mental health.
A member sought reassurance that the Service was confident it was doing
enough to support them and to encourage them to come forward. Members agreed
that young carers were often the hidden face of community care and that the
pandemic had made the position more difficult. The Director assured members
that good support was provided to those known to the Service. However, it was
recognised that many remained unidentified and there were some who did not wish
to be identified.
ii.
The Service relied on schools to report early
indications that a young person might be caring for a family member. Members
were pleased to hear that schools were proactive in making referrals, and that
each school across Leicestershire had a Young Carers Champion.
iii.
It was suggested that young carers often did not
consider themselves to be a ‘young carer’, or they or their family may be
apprehensive of assessment and unsure of the support available. The Lead Member
said it was well recognised within the Service that young carers were often
anxious and sometimes scared that they might be taken into care if they came
forward. A whole family approach was therefore critical. The Director
emphasised that there were a range of support options that could be delivered but
a key role of the Service was to help young people understand their position
and identify what their needs might be.
iv.
Encouraging unknown carers to come forward was a
challenge. However, the Director explained that work was being undertaken with
the Council’s communications team to target young people to make themselves
known to the Service or in school, for example. It would also continue to work
closely with schools, partners and the community.
v.
A member suggested that further consideration
should be given to how the Council might better incentivise young people to
engage with the Service. Members noted that respite services were offered to
young carers whereby they could engage with one another and take part in
enjoyable activities outside of the home. Some young carers within the Youth
and Justice Service had assisted in recruitment panels to contribute their
influence in the Service and had helped them to gain skills from preparing
questions and activities for the panel. The Director undertook to consider how these and other incentives could be promoted and the
benefits of the support packages available for young carers that came forward.
vi.
It was noted that young carers would be
supported through the Children and Family Wellbeing Service which would carry
out an initial assessment to produce a support package which addressed the
specific needs of the young person and their family, subject to any
safeguarding issues being identified. A
Section 20 agreement, whereby a child would be brought into Local Authority
care, would only be considered if it was deemed necessary for the welfare of
the child. Usually, a family centred
approach would be used. However, a group
work offer would be considered and could include access to other universal services.
RESOLVED:
(a)
That the report and details of the work taking
place to identify, assess and support young carers across Leicestershire be
noted and welcomed.
(b)
That the Director of Children and Family
Services be requested to consider how the Service might better incentivise
currently unidentified young carers to come forward, engage with the Service
and make use of the support available to them.
Supporting documents: