Young Carer Service Overview An overview of the Young Carers service. Expand Referrals We receive referrals from individuals, family members and professionals (including social workers, medical professionals and school-based staff). We ask referrers to complete a short form with as much information about the carer and cared-for as possible (seeking consent where appropriate). The completed referral form helps to give us an overview of the young person's caring role, including any specific needs they and/or their family may have related to this role. Our team have monthly allocation meetings, during which referrals are discussed and cases are assigned to particular workers (either Joe, Catherine or Dionne). Assessments Once cases are allocated, our Family Support Workers make contact with families to arrange assessments. These assessments can take place at the family home, at school or at our office in the Vestry Hall, Mitcham. As our service is focused on the needs of both the young carer and the family as a whole, we generally aim to meet young carers and their parents/guardians during the assessment process (particularly as we are required to gain consent). The assessments offer us a valuable opportunity to gain a fuller understanding of the strengths and needs of the young carer and their family and normally take around an hour to complete. Action Plans After the assessment, the allocated Family Support Worker writes up an action plan for the young carer. This action plan outlines the support our service is able to offer the young carer and their family during a three month intervention period (during which time we refer to the young carers as 'ACTIVE' cases). Support offered to Young Carers may include: a series of one-to-one support sessions - which will focus on an aspect of the caring role, for example 'worries', and generally take place at home or at school general family support - which may include attending meetings and advocating on behalf of the young carer's caring needs, referrals to other support services etc. opportunities to gain respite through funded group activities, trips and carer-related workshops. HOWEVER - these activities can only take place if we are able to acquire specific external funding. Review Following the three month intervention period, young carers are offered a review (which can take place with their allocated Family Support Worker face-to-face or over the phone). This review offers the young carer, their family and Carers Support Merton the opportunity to evaluate the success of the support we have offered - highlighting any changes to the caring role, and the individual's (and family's) situation. After Review After completion of the review, the young carer's 'ACTIVE' case will normally become a 'BACKGROUND' case. This means that the young carer and their family will not be eligible for focused individual and family support, but may be invited to any funded respite activities and workshops taking place during school holiday periods (once more, dependent on funding). Case Closure and Self Review Approximately every six months (or following periods of non-engagement) we send out letters to 'BACKGROUND' cases, to enquire as to whether they still require our support. We offer these young carers and their families a period of two weeks to respond to the letter. If they wish to continue receiving support from our service, we offer them the opportunity to complete a short 'self review form' (which can be posted/delivered to us, or completed over the phone). If young carers and/or their families do not feel they require continued support, or do not respond to the letter within the specified time period, we then send a further letter to advise them (and any professionals where appropriate) that their case will be closed. NB: Should a young carer require further support once their case has been closed, they are able to re-engage through our normal referral process.
Our 4 Outcomes These are the four main outcome areas we work towards Expand At Carers Support Merton, we work with families to improve Young Carers' lives in the following areas: Understanding their caring role Reducing feelings of isolation Improving emotional wellbeing Making healthy decisions
Family support We aim to deliver 3 month interventions with Young Carers and their families which enable real change to take place Expand Our goal is to ensure that by the time each Young Carer's action plan targets are completed, they feel confident and clear about their role as a Carer. If you are a Young Carer, these are some of the support services we can offer you: Assessment & review of your strengths and needs One-to-one support sessions School drop-in sessions Attending meetings on your behalf Helping you to access local activities and clubs
Events and activities These are some of the group activities, trips and workshops we deliver during school holidays: Expand Informative workshops related to specific health conditions and/or aspects of caring Creative and active workshops, facilitated by professional artists, coaches and educators Fun group activities and trips (i.e. cinema, theatre, go-karting, theme park etc.) Family fun days, which can offer families a chance to have a break and get to know one other However, these amazing events and activities depend on funding. We are always looking for ways to raise money to run events and activities for Young Carers, who certainly deserve it!! Take a look our 'Support our work' section for more information on how people can help.
Holiday respite Short breaks for Young Carers aged 5-11 Expand The Honeypot Children's Charity We are extremely fortunate to have benefitted over the years from a hugely successful partnership with The Honeypot Children's Charity. Honeypot offers action-packed respite breaks and outreach support to Young Carers aged 5-11. We are able to refer Young Carers for short breaks (staying at the wonderful Honeypot House in the New Forest), who are then offer a return break each year until they turn 12! To find out more about The Honeypot Children's Charity, click here
Have your say How to give us your feedback and how to join the Young Carers Committee Expand At Carers Support Merton we listen to Young Carers' needs and views, and ensure they remain central to everything we do. Your Feedback We really appreciate feedback from Young Carers and their families, as it helps us to know what we are doing well and how we can improve to offer the best support we can. If you would like to leave feedback, you can either speak to a member of the Young Carers team, or complete this form Young Carers Committee Our Young Carers Committee is entirely made up of Young Carers aged 11-24. It meets throughout the year - at least once a term - to discuss all matters relating to the Young Carers project (including upcoming trips, new staff, choosing Jack Petchey Award winners and more!). Meetings normally take place on weekday evenings (from 5-7pm) at the Vestry Hall, London Road, Mitcham. If you are a Young Carer aged 11-24 and would like to know more about the Young Carers Committee, you can either speak to a member of the Young Carers team or complete this form