Young Carers

A young carer is a young person under the age of 18 who takes some or all the responsibility for the care of someone, usually a member of their family. This may be a parent, brother, sister or other relative who has a long-term illness or disability

Any of the information in this pack may be useful to a young carer.
Many services will want to know what kind of help is needed and therefore it may be useful to talk through your situation first with someone you know and trust; someone who will support you in talking to the person you care for if you feel you need to and to any services or organisations you contact.

You may already be in contact with someone you trust who will help in this way. Perhaps a teacher, school nurse, doctor or youth worker. They may give you the chance to talk about your situation and help you contact the services that will make things easier for you. This section outlines specific help for young carers and who can give that help

Carers Liaison Project - Regis, Chichester & Rural
Young carers can telephone to talk about their situation in confidence
The Carers Liaison Project can help you sort out what you need and can tell you about local services which may offer the help you need. If you wish, the Carers Liaison Project will contact services on your behalf and support you in talking over your situation with the person you care for.

The Carers Liaison Project will not talk to another person or organisation about your situation without discussing it with you first.
Carers Liaison Project, 60a North Street, Chichester PO19 1NB
Tel: 01243 537011email: rnorth@carersliaison.org.uk or visit the website: www.carersliaison.org.uk

Community Psychiatric Nurse (C.P.N.)
A C.P.N. is a specialist nurse who works in the community with people who have mental health problems.

The C.P.N. can offer help to the whole family when one of the family has a mental health problem for example, depression, anxiety, phobias or schizophrenia They work as part of the Community Mental Health Team.
Your G.P.can refer you to the team.

District Nurse
Can offer practical help with nursing problems and care, such as equipment, tablets and medicine, dressings and bathing as well as advice and support. You can contact the district nurse directly at the doctors surgery. You do not need to speak to the doctor first.

Family Doctor or G.P.
Can arrange support and services for the person you are looking after with their permission, including respite care.

Information Shops
There are two information shops for young people aged 13-25 years
Qualified and friendly staff offer information, support and advice to any young person in a relaxed, safe environment. The sorts of issues that can be addressed are education, family and relationships, health and leisure. Counselling is also offered.

The Chichester shop is open 11am-1pm and 2pm-5pm, Mon-Fri.
Chichester Information Shop, Eastgate Square, Chichester PO19 1JQ
Tel: 01243 839093

The Bognor shop is open for 1pm-5pm Mon-Fri.
Bognor Information Shop, 75 Little High Street, Bognor Regis PO21 1RZ
Tel: 01243 865533

Occupational Therapist (O.T.)
They can explain about how to manage activities such as washing, dressing, going to the toilet, eating or drinking. They can recommend and organise gadgets, equipment and adaptations to help in the home. This may include special cutlery, handrails, wider doorways, a stair lift, special shower or bath. You can contact an O.T.at the locality office of Social Services in your area. Ask for the Social Services Help Desk – phone numbers in Chapter 1.

School
School staff may be able to offer help or information, particularly if caring is making it difficult for you to attend school or to keep up with your school work. You can talk to your form teacher, the pastoral care tutor, the school nurse or the Educational Welfare Officer.

Social Services
Social Services can offer you advice, including a chance to talk, information about help available, information about benefits and other money matters.
You can have a separate assessment of your needs and any help or support should take your needs into account.
Social Workers will assess the needs of the person you are looking after with that person’s permission. They can offer practical advice about getting help with cooking, shopping, washing and dressing.
They can also arrange for you to have a break by organising care for the person you are looking after, perhaps in a day centre or care at home or a longer break away from home You can contact the social services in your area directly by telephone and ask for the Help Desk – Bognor Area: 01243 642400, Chichester Area: 01243 752999 or Out of hours Helpline: 01903 694422.

West Sussex – Children with Caring Responsibilities Team
This multi agency project is managed through Social Services and aims to develop a multi agency strategy for working with young carers across West Sussex. Young carers are children and young people under 18 whose lives are affected by the care level needs of a parent, sibling, grandparent, other relative or friend, and who take on a level of responsibility associated with an adult

The project is developing ways of supporting young carers directly through work with schools, youth services, social services, healthcare and in voluntary sector settings.
They also provide:-
· Young Carers Workshops - with full-day activities during school holidays and half-term breaks. Contact the Support Workers on Tel: 01243 852761 or 01903 736620
· One-to-One Support - which can include advocacy work, support following a bereavement or change in care circumstances. Access to this service is by self-referral. Contact the Support Workers (as above).
· Family Work - working with the whole family to look at ways of making the life of the young carer easier.
· Funding - to give the young carer a break, whether it be in the form of a social activity, an outing, riding lessons or art classes.

Professionals, young carers and their parents are welcome to contact the Project for further information. The Project Manager - Children with Caring Responsibilities Team, Bognor Health Centre, West Street, Bognor Regis, West Sussex. PO21 1UT. Tel: 01243 852786. emma.maynard@westsussex.gov.uk

Youth Worker
A Youth Worker can offer individual support and practical help in linking with other support agencies, as well as a wide range of sport and leisure time activities.
Youth Workers will help you to focus on you and your needs as a young person whilst being sensitive to your situation.