The Disability Information and Resource Centre

June 24, 2009

The national program for Young Carers in Australia is in crisis, according to Carers Australia CEO Joan Hughes.

She was speaking at the launch of the “Bring It! 2008″ forum report which recommends steps to better support and recognise Australia’s young carers. Young carers are carers under 26 who support family members and friends who have a disability, mental illness, chronic conditions, terminal illness or who are frail. There are some 380,000 young carers, including 170,600 under the age of 18.

“Young Carers are in urgent need of support and assistance if they are to have the same rights, choices and opportunities as other young Australians,” Ms Hughes said.

“Young carers can’t wait until the next Budget for help. To delay any longer is to risk sacrificing the future of these caring young people who make such as difference to our society.”

“The government has talked a lot about social inclusion, education and training. No additional funds were allocated in the recent Budget to extend the Young Carer Program and better help young carers. ”

The “Bring It! 2008″ forum report shows that carers need continuing, flexible support and services, equal access to these as well as services that are culturally and age appropriate and based on best practice.

The report urges all professional groups and agencies to have policies and guidelines which clearly include young carers. Likewise, mandatory awareness training across all groups who deal with carers, including doctors, teachers, social workers and those in hospitals and the health industry.

“It has some great recommendations from participants including young carers, such as a ‘no wrong door’ policy which means that no matter how the person or family comes in contact with government and support agencies, they should get appropriate help,” Ms Hughes said.

“It also recommends a ‘whole of family’ approach, so that the whole family’s needs are assessed, regardless of which family member first contacts an agency.

“Sadly, some agencies can forget that young carers can have adult-sized responsibilities when caring, and they aren’t always treated with dignity and respect by all areas of government.”

Ms Hughes said young carers were the future of our society, yet we were “ignoring their very real needs as carers.”

Are you are a young person (12-25 years) caring for a parent or familiy member with a disability or long-term illness?  OR

Do you currently receive care from a young family member?

The Social Policy Research Centre at the University of New South Wales is looking for people who are interested in talking about their caring experiences to participate in a study.

The first aim of the study is to hear from young people who provide care and from people who receive care about their circumstances, experiences and support service needs.  The second aim is to assist governments and community organisations to develop policies and services to support young carers and their families.

The study will involve an individual interview of about one hour’s duration either face-to-face or by phone and completion of a short questionnaire of about 15-20 minutes. Inteviews are expected to take place in July 2009 in South Australia and October 2009 in NSW.

For more information please contact Samia Michail on (02) 9385 7800 or email  s.michail@unsw.edu.au

JENNY MACKLIN MP

Minister for Families, Housing, Community Services
and Indigenous Affairs

Young people to benefit from $27M carer package

The Australian Government will provide $27 million to boost respite for Australia’s young carers and for carers of young people with a severe or profound disability.

The Government will provide around $20 million over three years in respite support for carers of young people with a severe or profound disability to continue to provide immediate and short-term respite to around 6,000 carers.

The Young Carers Program will receive more than $7 million over the next year to continue providing respite and information services to help young carers who are at risk of not completing secondary education because of their caring responsibilities.

Young carers will also have an opportunity to influence future government policy when they meet for a national forum on 26 and 27 November 2008 to give their views on future policy direction.

Up to forty young carers will participate in the Young Carers’ Forum 2008 with the Australian Government providing $190,000 in funding to Carers Australia for the event.

The summit is aimed at giving young carers a voice and is an opportunity for young carers to get together and share their experiences.

They will be joined by leading academics and government representatives to consider issues including education, respite and the role of government.

Around 5 per cent of Australians under the age of 25, 350,000 young people, provide care to another person. Of these, more than 20,000 are the primary care giver.

More than 170,000 young carers are under the age of 18 and among these the average age is twelve to thirteen.

Each day, young carers face constant challenges trying to juggle their study, work and caring responsibilities.

They make enormous personal sacrifices. At a time when most young people are enjoying life and a new independence, young carers have more on their mind.

The Respite Support for Carers of Young People with Severe or Profound Disability program allows carers to access much-needed respite, including in-home, centre-based and overnight care arrangements.

The Young Carers Program provides carers up to the age of 25 with access to respite care to attend education, training and recreational activities.

Through Carers Australia, the program also provides a range of information, referral and advice services including counselling, to support young carers in managing the challenges they may face as part of their caring role.

Respite programs are absolutely essential to giving carers a break from the huge demands of caring for a loved one.

We know that caring responsibilities can take their toll. Young carers have a lower participation rate in secondary and tertiary education which limits their career and employment opportunities.

The respite services are delivered through the 55 Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres across the country.

Date: 11 June 2008

Contact: Jessica Walker 0430166633