- Conference
- 2005 National Women's Conference
- Date
- 20 October 2004
- Decision
- Carried
It is estimated that one in ten children is a young carer in the UK today, saving the country an estimated £3 million per year.
The majority of these children will be caring for their mother or enabling their mother to work by caring for another family member.
The majority of young carers are girls.
Conference recognises the contribution that young carers make to the role of women as the unpaid carers of society, by taking on roles that their peers do not have to undertake. This leads to them being mature beyond their years, socially isolated and often bullied. These children typically underachieve educationally. There is a lack of opportunity to participate fully in school activities. They lose out on the usual contacts between parents and school, because mums can’t get to evenings like parents’ evenings, sports days and open days. Friendships amongst peers are difficult to maintain.
The lack of recognition and understanding of their role leads them to have issues such as:
1)poor school attendance due to caring responsibilities;
2)not being allowed to have their mobile phones on in school to keep in touch in case of emergencies, this leads to insecurity;
3)detentions being given because allowances have not been made where there is conflict between their role as a pupil and their role as a carer;
4)having no rights to medical information about the illness or medication to treat the illness impairing the young carer’s ability to understand and deliver quality care;
5)lack of support and respite provision from social services to enable the young carer to become a child again, at the same time allowing the mother a break;
6)detriment to their physical health through injury and strain acquired when caring.
Conference is concerned that these young carers do not receive recognition for their role and that this impacts on the lives of women members and those of women in society in general.
Conference calls on the National Women’s Committee to work with the National Executive Council to:
a)campaign for recognition for young carers and their contribution to society particularly in support of women;
b)lobby the government through Labour Link and in particular the Department for Education for a policy on supporting young carers within schools;
c)use Labour Link resources to lobby the government to provide the money that will enable social services departments to provide these young people with the support they need.
Conference calls on the National Women’s Committee to work with the General Political Fund to run a campaign highlighting the plight of young carers in society.