Who Cares? Supporting Young Adult Carers to Learn

[Background] [Aims] [Outcomes] [Audience] [Programme] [Event Information] [Application Conditions]

Background

In the UK there are approximately 230,000 self-declared young adult carers between the ages of 16-25.  However, in reality the figures are likely to be much higher.  Due to the hidden nature of caring, and the associated stigma, bullying and discrimination, many young adults do not identify themselves as carers, or are unwilling to openly disclose their responsibilities.

"Staff who teach you need to come together to talk about it.  They need to be taught what a carer is.  Why should I have to make an excuse about why I'm not there? Why should I have to lie?" (Young adult carer)

"I really want to do well on this course, and I know I've got to behave, or I'm gonna get kicked out of college.  But sometimes I lose control, I just feel so angry about things at home.  I feel like I can't stand it anymore and I just explode.  I don't know how much longer I can carry on.  But I don't want to leave them either." (Young adult carer)

"In some ways I hate being different, but in other ways I'm quite proud of what I've achieved.  I think I'm more mature than lots of other young people, and I'm good at sorting things out, money and stuff.  And talking to officials.  I've had to grow up fast." (Young adult carer)

These comments were made by young adult carers who were consulted through the NIACE Who Cares? project.  As a result of their caring responsibilities, young adult carers commonly experience a range of personal difficulties which include feelings of isolation, tiredness and mental and physical health problems. They have little time for themselves and activities outside the home, so their friendships and wider relationships suffer.

It is not surprising, therefore, that caring responsibilities have a major impact on young adults' experiences of learning. They have frequent absences, are often late for classes, experience tiredness and are often unable to complete work on time. As a consequence a high proportion of young adult carers have low aspirations, fail to achieve their potential and leave education with few or no qualifications.  In addition, negative experiences of learning, such as bullying and lack of understanding by peers and professionals, mean that many young adult carers become deeply marginalised and 'turned off' learning at a young age.

For most young adults, the age span of 16-25 presents opportunities and challenges.  It is the pivotal period during which most young adults make the transition to adulthood, and the choices, opportunities, responsibilities and rewards that this brings.  A fundamental part of this transition phase is the acquisition of skills, qualifications, experiences and relationships - a gradual shift away from dependence to independence.  However, for young adult carers the transition experience is often very different.  As a result of their caring responsibilities, many young adults do not make linear transitions, are not afforded the opportunities taken for granted by their peers, and therefore become isolated and disaffected.

Within the wider cohort of young adult carers aged 16-25, there are likely to be many young adults with a learning difficulty.  Little is formally known about the experiences of this group; it is thought that many are involved in mutual care relationships and that the level of disadvantage, isolation and social exclusion they experience is greatly increased as a result of being a carer and having a learning difficulty.  However, effective and supportive learning can bring many benefits for this group of young adults:

"I get really tired and sometimes I feel really down.  I do like being a carer, but I want to be able to do things for me too." (Young adult carer with a learning difficulty).

"When you are learning, you are learning to help yourself." (Young adult carer with a learning difficulty).

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Aims 

This conference will inform delegates about how policy and practice is developing, ways in which young adult carers are supported to engage in learning and what more needs to be done to enable young adult carers to engage and succeed in learning, achieve their potential and make effective transitions.

This conference will:

• raise awareness of the difficulties faced by young adult carers and the impact of these difficulties upon their participation in learning
• provide the opportunity to hear directly from young adult carers about their experiences and the ways in which being a carer affected their participation in learning
• provide examples of good practice in engaging and supporting young adult carers to learn
• enable delegates to consider what more needs to be done to support young adult carers to engage in learning, develop high aspirations and make effective transitions.

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Outcomes 

This conference will:

• give policy makers the opportunity to meet with providers and consider ways in which emerging policy currently addresses the needs of young adult carers and what more needs to be done to support this group
• give learning providers and organisations that already offer support to young adult carers the opportunity to share ideas and approaches, consider what more needs to be done and influence future developments
• give providers who are not currently working with young adult carers the opportunity to learn about effective approaches to engaging and supporting young adult carers.

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 Audience

• Policy and decision makers within government departments and agencies, local authorities, learning providers and third sector organisations that have a role to play in supporting young adults - particularly disadvantaged young adults and young adults who are not in education, employment or training
• Managers and practitioners in Further Education colleges, carers' centres, local authority youth and adult provision, and third sector provision that potentially engages young adult carers
• Staff involved in providing information, advice and guidance to young adults, such as Connexions staff, Job Centre Plus Advisers and National Careers Service staff
• Health and learning sector staff who are interested in improving their awareness and understanding of the needs and experiences of young adult carers and ways in which they can be effectively supported.

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Programme

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 Event Information

• Arrival and registration is at 9:45am for a 10:15am start. The event will end at 3:45pm
• This is a free event
  (a sandwich lunch, tea/coffee will be provided)
• Places will be allocated in order of receipt of completed online application forms (one online application form per person)
• Video cameras may be in use at this event. If you do not wish to be photographed or appear on the video outputs please indicate this on the application form and make yourself known at registration
• Participants should be prepared to take their own notes as there will not be handouts for all sessions
• If you have not received an e-mail confirming your attendance and joining instructions 4 working days before the event please contact: events@niace.org.uk

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Application Conditions 

• Event date: Wednesday 21 March 2012
• Closing date: Thursday 8 March 2012
• Substitutions are to be advised 5 working days prior to the event
• A 15 working days notice period is required for provision of electronic note-takers, sign language interpreters and transcription to Braille
• Places are to be reserved online - scroll up and click on Apply Now
• Reservations by telephone cannot be accepted
• Application forms are individually acknowledged by e-mail. Joining instructions, including map and directions, will be e-mailed out one week before the event.
• NIACE reserves the right to reject applicants who are not from the target audience list.

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