Young carers

Find out what support is available for young carers in Solihull.

Young carers (aged 5 to 18) and young adult carers (16 to 25) provide regular unpaid emotional or physical support to someone at home who has: 

  • a physical disability
  • mental health needs
  • a long term or terminal illness
  • a sensory impairment
  • a learning disability
  • issues with drugs or alcohol 

In this video from Carers Trust Solihull, young carers in Solihull share their experiences of being children with caring responsibilities and how this affects their lives.

 

What support is available?

Solihull Young Carers (part of Carers Trust Solihull) offer a range of support. This includes:

  • providing one-to-one support, information and advice
  • supporting children with school issues, including homework
  • organising local groups, activities, days out and holidays
  • arranging practical help at home and breaks from caring
  • ensuring young carers’ voices are heard (advocacy)
  • Young Carer’s assessment  

Register as or refer a young carer

Preparing for adulthood 

If you are a young carer in Solihull preparing for adulthood, you can contact Carers Trust Solihull to discuss your support needs, help with training and employment and for information about services and peer support. 

Once you turn 18, you can complete an adult carer’s assessment to identify your needs. 

Get in touch

You can contact Carers Trust Solihull by:  

If you would like to speak to someone in our adult social care team, you can contact us by:

  • email: ccadults@solihull.gov.uk
  • phone: 0121 704 8007 (weekdays from 9:00am to 5:00pm, except Wednesdays when we open at 10:00am)

Case studies

Find out how Carers Trust Solihull supports young carers by reading these stories. Their names have been changed to protect their identity.

Sunny's story

Sunny is 12 and cares for his sibling who has a heart condition. 

At first, the family was reluctant to engage with us. Carers Trust Solihull worked to earn their trust and helped Sunny to talk about what mattered to him. This allowed him space to focus on himself and his life as a young carer. 

Carers Trust Solihull worked with the family to create a plan to help Sunny access their services and give his mum the confidence to do the same. As a result, Sunny tried out the young carers group. 

He thoroughly enjoyed the experience and has now asked for one-to-one support to understand his sibling’s condition better. 

Maya's story

Maya is a 14-year-old young carer for her dad who has mental health issues. Maya and her siblings have had support from social workers and Carers Trust Solihull.  

At first, Maya was angry about the referral to Carers Trust Solihull, as she had managed the responsibilities of being a young carer largely on her own, before support became available. After Carers Trust gained her trust and helped her to feel heard, she started to open up.  

Maya has since taken part in activities, school drop-ins and clubs, meeting other young carers and reducing her feelings of isolation. She also has support work to share her caring journey. 

Carers Trust Solihull also helped Maya to attend her prom by funding her dress, hair and nails. She went to the prom feeling confident and had a fantastic time. 

Maya wants to be a young carer peer mentor as she is passionate about supporting others in similar situations.  

Further information

There are a range of resources both locally and nationally which offer advice and guidance on supporting young carers and their families, including: 

  • YoungMinds which offers support and advice on young people's mental health and wellbeing
  • The Children's Society which can help you understand your rights as a young carer, introduce you to other young carers and advise you on different ways into education and employment
  • Sense which offers support and activities to young carers and siblings of disabled people
  • Barnardo's which helps young carers to look after their loved ones and give them time to enjoy their childhood
  • NHS advice on being a young carer and your rights
  • Childline which offers advice on how to access support for you and your family