An extensive survey by @CarersTrust of young carers, teachers and parents reveals the alarming impact of caring on young people’s education and opportunities. It also provides policy solutions and recommendations. Read the report: www.carers.org/yceducation
Press Alert, September 27, 2024 – A major new study by Carers Trust in the UK has unveiled powerful research and data on young carers, revealing the universal challenges faced by Caregiving Youth worldwide. The report shows that young carers in the UK missed an average of 23 days of school in 2022-23, compared to 14 days missed by their non-caregiving peers, underscoring the significant impact caregiving has on education and future opportunities.
Relevance to the U.S.: Caregiving Youth in the U.S. experience similar challenges, with over 5.4 million young caregivers mostly unnoticed and underserved. The educational and social difficulties highlighted in the UK report are echoed in the experiences of Caregiving Youth across the U.S., suggesting a critical need for increased awareness, resources, and support. Currently, no state or federal policy in the U.S. acknowledges or provides avenues for recognition, respite, or support for children aged 18 and under with caregiving responsibilities.
The findings underscore the importance of identifying and addressing the needs of this population, emphasizing that formal support in educational, healthcare, and community settings can play a vital role in ensuring Caregiving Youth have the opportunity to succeed.
Acknowledgments: AACY congratulates Carers Trust in the UK for their important work, which serves as a valuable resource for advocates and policymakers worldwide, including here in the United States. We commend their research for highlighting the educational and life challenges faced by young carers. We also acknowledge and thank the National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP for their “Caregiving in the U.S.” report, which provides the impactful statistic of 5.4 million Caregiving Youth in the U.S.
Read the Carers Trust Report: “Caring and classes: the education gap for young carers, sets out the concerning state of young carers’ educational attainment and opportunities in England in 2024.“
About the American Association of Caregiving Youth (AACY):
American Association of Caregiving Youth® (AACY), a 501(c)(3) non-profit headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, champions the needs of over 5.4 million young American caregivers aged 18 or younger who provide essential care for chronically ill, injured, elderly, and/or disabled family members. As the leading national voice for Caregiving Youth, AACY raises awareness about this hidden population and is a trusted resource for families, policymakers, educators, and healthcare professionals on the issues Caregiving Youth face, regardless of the care recipient’s diagnosis.
AACY offers a comprehensive approach combining direct support and national advocacy. Locally, they provide direct assistance to middle and high school students through the Caregiving Youth Project. Nationally, its Caregiving Youth Institute (CYI) spearheads C.A.R.E. initiatives focused on Connection, Advocacy, Research, and Education. AACY’s impact extends further through national partnerships and affiliates.
For more information, visit aacy.org
About the AACY Caregiving Youth Research Collaborative (CYRC):
The CYRC is a U.S.-focused initiative created to generate interdisciplinary collaboration between researchers and practitioners who are dedicated to advancing knowledge and understanding of Caregiving Youth (also known as young carers) and their families. Founded in 2015 through a collaboration between the AACY Caregiving Youth Institute and researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, today, CYRC brings together academics and other researchers and professionals from universities and organizations across the United States and Canada. Members work to identify research and policy priorities, create vehicles to inform and enhance knowledge among youth professionals, and cultivate partnerships to improve the outlook for Caregiving Youth and their families.
For more information, visit CYRC here.