Carers of the Year Awards recognise Ireland's growing army young carers

Ireland’s young carers are on the rise, reveals Helen O'Callaghan. In fact, the 2011 Census counted more than 5,000 are aged under 18.

The 2014 Health Behaviour in School-aged Children study found more than 11% of 10,368 children aged 10-17 surveyed identified themselves as family carers.

In tribute to this increase — and to mark the 10th anniversary of the Carers of the Year Awards — new awards have been announced.

Previously just one young carer nationally received an award — now four are to be chosen regionally.

“A young carer could be seven or eight when a caring relationship starts and this grows as they get older,” Catherine Cox, head of communications at Family Carers Ireland said.

She points to two different types of young carer. In the first scenario, a youngster helps parents care for a sibling who has a disability.

“They might spend time playing games or just sitting with their brother or sister who has a disability. They keep them engaged while the parent does chores.

"Or they might help parents care for a grandparent — and chat with them in the evening when they come home from school so the parent can prepare dinner.”

The majority of young carers fall into this category and it’s the type of caring role the awards are designed to reward.

But the awards also seek to raise awareness of a second type of young carer — the young people who are providing inappropriate levels of care for their young years.

“You might have a one-parent family, where the parent’s diagnosed with a serious condition like MS and they require a high level of care. We believe it’s inappropriate for an under 18 to take on a primary carer role but it does happen.”

Or, says Ms Cox, a young person might be burdened with an onerous caring role where a parent has an addiction.

“They might have to care for a parent who can’t get out of bed and at the same time care for their siblings — get them up in the morning, feed them, help them get dressed. It’s rare but it has come up.”

When such situations arise, Family Carers Ireland contacts health and social services. “We work with them to support the whole family unit. It’s about supporting the parent and supporting the child.”

Nomination forms are available from Family Carers Ireland Resource Centres or on 1800 24 07 24. Nominations can also be made on familycarers.ie. The closing date for entries is September 16.

Fact file

• When providing inappropriate levels of care, a young person’s education and health may suffer.
• Signs a child may be burdened by care duties include arriving late to school, homework not done, being tired at school.
• Family Carers Ireland has supports for young carers, including info and advice, peer mentoring, respite activity breaks, awareness raising, school support and online supports.

Visit: www.familycarers.ie