Home carers as young as 12 losing out on education

CHILDREN as young as 12 years old are losing out on education because they are forced to mind sick parents or younger siblings, research has found.

The study of young carers by researchers at University College Cork is to be presented by the Combat Poverty Agency later this year.

But preliminary findings show the negative impacts on educational and job prospects for these children.

The team at UCC’s department of applied social studies interviewed young people who are, or were, caring for family members at home before age 12.

“Being a young carer has significant, usually negative, implications for their lives and wellbeing. The areas affected include education, employment, social life, relationships and health,” the researchers said.

In relation to education, authors Joe Finnerty and Dr Cathal O’Connell found respondents talked of missing school regularly.

The most common ailments requiring long-term care by those surveyed were physical disabilities and mental health problems, but three subjects of care were younger brothers or sisters.

The researchers blame inadequate information, supports and professional interventions for making difficult situations worse for young carers. They also suggest organisations in contact with the young people may be unaware they are carers.

But the National Educational Welfare Board (NEWB), which monitors low school attendance, said it is aware of the problem.

NEWB chief executive Eddie Ward said: “There is a strong obligation on all services that work with families, including ourselves, to address these situations.”