Report says GPs will be 'enlightened' about benefits of service that helps young carers

It reveals that just 1 per cent of the referrals made to the Young Carers Service, provided by Barnardos, came from GPs, and that children’s services will continue to work with doctors to “enlighten” them on the benefits of the service.

Doctors, as well as schools and other groups that work with children, are encouraged to let the service know when it seems that a person under the age of 18 is acting as a carer for a family member.

These children are then given the support they need.

A report being presented to Bradford Council’s Children’s Scrutiny Committee on Wednesday gives members an update on the service, which is commissioned by the Council.

The report, by service manager Cath Dew, says: “A Young Carer becomes vulnerable when the level of care-giving and responsibility to the person in need of care becomes excessive or inappropriate for the child.

“The Vision’s overriding priority is prevention, ensuring Young Carers are actively protected from excessive or inappropriate caring and parenting roles are supported.

“Training on Young Carers has been delivered at GP events and information has been distributed across GP practices. Referrals directly from GPs still only account for less than 1 per cent of referrals to the service. This is disappointing as GPs will have the information about the adults who need caring for and will know whether that household has a child/young person.

“The Service for Young Carers hoped that GPs would be able to flag families on their database System One, so that we can ensure that the right young people are getting support at the right time. The service will continue to work with CCGs and school nurses to enlighten GPs to the benefits of the Young Carers Service.”

However, the report says schools are much more proactive in referring children who they think are acting as carers.

The report adds: “Work with primary schools is under way with good results. In the first phase 109 primary schools now have a named member of staff for Young Carers and 40 primary schools have received training.

“Plans are in place to seek to ensure 100 per cent of primary schools have a Young Carers lead and have received training.”

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It goes on to say that due to ongoing central government cuts, the service has been hit by a 10 per cent reduction in budget this year, but that it “continues to perform well against targets”.