A NEW report into young carers has revealed the "alarming" number of children in the district faced with looking after parents with substance abuse or alcohol problems.

The report, by Barnardos, breaks down details of the 257 carers under the age of 18 in Bradford who have been referred to the children's charity in the last year, with some children as young as five classed as carers for older relatives.

However, a spokesman for the charity told the Telegraph & Argus that the true number may never be known, as some youngsters fear the stigma of being known as a carer for a parent or family member.

Bradford Council's Children's Services Scrutiny Committee will discuss the report, which relates to the past year, when it meets tomorrow.

Further data shows that almost 1,300 young people identified themselves as carers in the last census, showing many young carers have not been referred to the charity, and even this higher figure is considered to be the "tip of the iceberg."

Barnardos is commissioned as the main provider for young carers services in Bradford, and has set the goal that by April, every school in Bradford have an identified member of staff trained to identify young carers.

Young people can be referred to the charity by schools, social care workers, GPs and other health workers.

The report, which covers April 2014 to March 2015, shows that 60 per cent of the young people referred to the charity in this period were looking after their mother. Sixteen per cent looked after their father and seventeen looked after their siblings. Three per cent looked after both their parents.

Thirty seven per cent of young carers are looking after someone with a mental health problem, and 31 per cent with a physical condition.

Other reasons include substance abuse (six per cent) alcohol abuse (five per cent) and autism (seven per cent).

The charity says many young people looking after a family member with a mental health or substance abuse problem are reluctant to identify themselves as a carer.

There are young carers in 29 of Bradford's 30 wards, up from last year when there were only young cares found in 19 wards. The Royds ward had the most identified young carers with eight per cent of those in the district.

The report says: "Schools work being looked into how it can be more effective through use of resources. More schools across district have identified a lead but they require training and there are still schools with no named person. We have offered training twice but both times cancelled due to low interest."

Kerry McKenna who works for Barnardos in Bradford, said the average age of young carer they deal with is 12, although some are as young as five. The majority of young carers are aged between nine and 15.

She added: "I don't think we'll ever know the true number of young carers. You can look at census data, but there are quite a lot of people who may not want to identify themselves as a young carer.

"Substance abuse is a massive problem, there are likely hundreds of children who are looking after a parent with substance abuse problems, but not referring themselves to services because of the stigma attached.

"Often the young people may not even recognise that they are a carer, especially if they have done it from a young age.

"A big piece of work for us it to work with schools to help identify children who are young carers and better understand their needs.

"The ultimate goal is to have every school with an identified person who can identify and work with young carers."

She said being a young carer should not be seen as a negative thing, adding: "There are many positives to being a young carer. The assumption is that they'll not do as well in school or other areas, but in many areas young carers flourish."

The latest census figures show that 1,276 young people classed themselves as a carer.

The Children's Society, another charity that supports young people, is also working with schools to support young carers. Chief Executive Matthew Reed said: "An alarming number of young carers in Bradford are having their lives turned upside down, juggling school work and looking after their loved ones.

"We care passionately about their welfare and exposing the scale of the issue is simply not enough. That is why we are working with schools to improve the support these young carers get so that it is consistent across the country. One young carer slipping under the radar is one young carer too many.”

Bradford Council has a budget of £168,000 to deal with young carers in the district.

Councillor Ralph Berry, executive for Children and Adult Services, said: "We need to find out where all these young carers are, and that's why we are working with Barnardos.

"We are at a time when school budgets are being cut, but children who are carers do need more emotional support. Working with young carers is absolutely crucial and is one of the council's highest priorities.

"If more people come forward and identify themselves as carers then the figures might look worse, but it is what we need to happen so we can offer these children more support."

The meeting takes place in City Hall at 4.30pm.