Referral

 

Connect With Us Online

Basingstoke & District Young Carers is pleased to welcome referrals through our streamlined online form. Our team is ready to assist you for guidance or further information or if you encounter any issues. Please don’t hesitate to contact us at 01256 423824.

Before You Refer, Consider the Following:

Understanding a young person’s circumstances requires a comprehensive view of the whole family’s situation and how those circumstances affect each family member. The Whole Family Pathway, accessible HERE, offers a valuable online resource to help practitioners better understand the support available for young carers and their families. By exploring this pathway, professionals can gain valuable insights into family assessments, supportframeworks and approaches that recognise children’s rights, wellbeing and individual experiences.

A young person’s life may be affected by the illness, disability, mental health condition, addiction or additional needs of a family member, including:

  • Physical illness or disability
  • Sensory impairment
  • Learning disability or additional needs
  • Long-term health conditions
  • Mental health conditions
  • Addiction or substance dependency

To understand the impact of the care recipient’s condition on the family better, consider asking:

  • Who else is involved in providing care at home?
  • How does the condition and care needs affect the family dynamics?
  • Is there a child or young person whose daily life is affected by these circumstances?
  • What are the physical, emotional, or educational effects on them?
  • What support could improve the wellbeing of the child or young person?
  • Does the parent or guardian require additional support in their role?
  • What comprehensive support can be offered to enhance the family’s well-being?

Awareness and openness to receiving support can vary among families, with some hesitant to engage with external agencies or to acknowledge the impact of family circumstances on a child or young person’s life due to fear or stigma.

Defining a Young Carer

A young carer is a child or young person whose daily life is affected by the illness, disability, mental health condition, addiction or additional needs of a family member.

Some young carers provide practical or emotional support at home. Others may not see themselves as carers at all. However, the needs of someone in their familycan still create additional responsibilities, pressures, worries or challenges that affect their childhood.

They may help look after a parent, sibling or relative. They may worry about a loved one, miss out on opportunities enjoyed by their friends, take on responsibilitiesbeyond their years, or find that family circumstances affect their confidence, education, wellbeing or social life.

Every young carer’s experience is different.

What they have in common is that the needs of those close to them significantly impact on their own lives.

Identifying a Young Carer

Young carers may experience a range of challenges that affect their education, wellbeing and everyday life. These may include tiredness, anxiety, difficultiesconcentrating, reduced attendance, social isolation, or taking on responsibilities beyond their years. Every young person’s experience is different, so it’s important to consider the overall impact that family circumstances may have on their life rather than focusing solely on practical caregiving tasks. With the right support, young carers can build confidence, resilience, and thrive.

Some Young Carers May Take on Responsibilities Such As:

  • Household tasks such as cleaning, cooking, and laundry
  • Personal and intimate care, including medication administration and mobility assistance.
  • Emotional support and childcare for younger siblings
  • Managing household affairs, such as bill payments and hospital visits

For More Information and Resources, Visit:

Ready to Make a Referral?

Click the link below to access our online referral form and take the first step in supporting a young carer.

Submit a Referral

Click below to download the Referral Form.