{"id":917,"date":"2020-03-09T17:10:03","date_gmt":"2020-03-09T17:10:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/youngcarers.info\/professionals\/?p=917"},"modified":"2020-03-22T20:40:45","modified_gmt":"2020-03-22T20:40:45","slug":"young-carers-and-coronavirus","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/youngcarers.info\/professionals\/news\/young-carers-and-coronavirus\/","title":{"rendered":"Young carers and Coronavirus"},"content":{"rendered":"
Whilst the Coronavirus is impacting us all, it is likely also to have particular impacts on some children who have existing caring responsibilities within their families \u2013 that is young carers. There are however certain steps that can be taken in advance to mitigate any additional anxiety that this group of young people may be feeling.<\/h5>\n

 <\/p>\n

Covid-19 is a cause for concern for all of us and understandably it will be so for many young carers. This group, who even under normal circumstances, often talk about being anxious or worried about the health and wellbeing of the person they are caring for, their own mental health and sometimes about whether the care that they provide is good enough.<\/h6>\n

 <\/p>\n

At this time there is the potential for young carers to be experiencing heightened anxieties about the health of those they care for, especially if they are caring for somebody who is elderly or who has ‘underlying health issues’. Additionally, with current restrictions on movement in some places, young carers may have increased anxiety about being able to adequately care for the person they look after.<\/h6>\n

 <\/p>\n

Another issue that often affects young carers is isolation. Under normal circumstances they may not be able to socialise with their peers as a result of their caring role and family circumstances and further isolation due to restrictions to control the spread of Covid-19 may occur. These restrictions might impact not only their social interactions, but also peer and emotional support that some of these young people currently access.<\/h6>\n

 <\/p>\n

It will be important therefore over the next weeks or months that professionals and services working with young carers are aware of the potential additional concerns that this group might have and are able to respond by keeping an extra eye out for them. Young carers may require more support than usual online, from helplines and from other support services such as counselling services. Some may also require more age-appropriate information.<\/h6>\n

 <\/p>\n

Moreover, depending on many factors, including on how the Coronavirus spreads, there is the possibility that children across the country will find themselves having to undertake additional responsibilities, including temporary caring roles for family members as well as. Therefore, it is vital that all children and young people have access to support and age-appropriate information and advice.<\/h6>\n

 <\/p>\n

Daniel Phelps, March 2020 (this will be updated as necessary)<\/h6>\n

 <\/p>\n

Recommendations<\/strong><\/h6>\n