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Number of child carers 'four times previous estimate' Number of child carers 'four times previous estimate'
(40 minutes later)
There are four times as many young carers in the UK than previously officially recognised, figures published by the BBC suggest.There are four times as many young carers in the UK than previously officially recognised, figures published by the BBC suggest.
One in 12 of the 4,029 schoolchildren asked by the BBC said they had caring responsibilities - such as dressing, washing or bathing family members.One in 12 of the 4,029 schoolchildren asked by the BBC said they had caring responsibilities - such as dressing, washing or bathing family members.
If the survey reflects the UK as a whole, it would mean there are about 700,000 young carers in the UK.If the survey reflects the UK as a whole, it would mean there are about 700,000 young carers in the UK.
The 2001 census, though, only identified 175,000 young carers.The 2001 census, though, only identified 175,000 young carers.
The Children's Minister for England, Sarah Teather, said the research "shows the reality of what is really going on with young carers".The Children's Minister for England, Sarah Teather, said the research "shows the reality of what is really going on with young carers".
"It is shocking to see that they don't get the support they need or the recognition they deserve," she said, adding that the government is to launch a strategy for carers later this year."It is shocking to see that they don't get the support they need or the recognition they deserve," she said, adding that the government is to launch a strategy for carers later this year.
A total of 4,029 pupils from 10 UK secondary schools responded to a questionnaire designed by academics at the University of Nottingham.A total of 4,029 pupils from 10 UK secondary schools responded to a questionnaire designed by academics at the University of Nottingham.
The questions asked about both the levels of responsibility young people have in the home, and the types of caring activity they undertake.The questions asked about both the levels of responsibility young people have in the home, and the types of caring activity they undertake.
Of those who responded, 337 (8%) said they had carried out "personal care" of someone in their home either "a lot of the time" or "some of the time" over the last month.Of those who responded, 337 (8%) said they had carried out "personal care" of someone in their home either "a lot of the time" or "some of the time" over the last month.
This includes activities such as helping the person they care for to dress, wash, bathe or shower.This includes activities such as helping the person they care for to dress, wash, bathe or shower.
'Wake-up call''Wake-up call'
Professor Saul Becker, head of the school of sociology and social policy at the University of Nottingham, said the survey pointed to a "hidden army" of UK young carers.Professor Saul Becker, head of the school of sociology and social policy at the University of Nottingham, said the survey pointed to a "hidden army" of UK young carers.
The figures were a "wake-up call" to governments and carers' organisations, he said.The figures were a "wake-up call" to governments and carers' organisations, he said.
Prof Becker said the figures showed "the real underbelly, if you like, of what young carers in the UK are having to do - very difficult, very personal, very intimate, very draining care -giving tasks and responsibilities which, in many circumstances, deprives them of their childhood".Prof Becker said the figures showed "the real underbelly, if you like, of what young carers in the UK are having to do - very difficult, very personal, very intimate, very draining care -giving tasks and responsibilities which, in many circumstances, deprives them of their childhood".
Separately, 29% of the school pupils who took part in the survey said they had carried out "emotional care" of someone in their home either "a lot of the time" or "some of the time" over the preceding month.Separately, 29% of the school pupils who took part in the survey said they had carried out "emotional care" of someone in their home either "a lot of the time" or "some of the time" over the preceding month.
This could include sitting with the person they care for, reading to them, or taking them out for a walk.This could include sitting with the person they care for, reading to them, or taking them out for a walk.
While these would not all necessarily be considered young carers, it is likely that many of them are providing support for family members with mental illnesses or addictions to drugs or alcohol.While these would not all necessarily be considered young carers, it is likely that many of them are providing support for family members with mental illnesses or addictions to drugs or alcohol.
'No surprise''No surprise'
Sonia Flint, from Derbyshire and Derby City Young Carers, said there was a "hidden group" of young carers in the latter group whose situation had a big impact on their lives.
"They may worry that dad might hurt himself again or worry mum might fall over, and it's a kind of a constant worry throughout the day," she said.
Campaigners and charity groups have been arguing for years that the official 175,000 figure is a vast underestimate.Campaigners and charity groups have been arguing for years that the official 175,000 figure is a vast underestimate.
The National Young Carers Coalition, a group of charities including the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, Barnardo's and the Children's Society, said the figures came as "no surprise".The National Young Carers Coalition, a group of charities including the Princess Royal Trust for Carers, Barnardo's and the Children's Society, said the figures came as "no surprise".
The organisation points out that the census figures asked parents, rather than children, to complete questionnaires and made no mention of more stigmatised conditions, such as mental health, substance misuse or HIV/Aids.The organisation points out that the census figures asked parents, rather than children, to complete questionnaires and made no mention of more stigmatised conditions, such as mental health, substance misuse or HIV/Aids.
"Whilst the new figures from the BBC give us a more realistic picture of the scale of the problem, we still believe that there are many more than 700,000 children and young people providing care to parents or family members, who are unrecognised and without support across the UK," the group said."Whilst the new figures from the BBC give us a more realistic picture of the scale of the problem, we still believe that there are many more than 700,000 children and young people providing care to parents or family members, who are unrecognised and without support across the UK," the group said.
The four UK Children's Commissioners (one each for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) said, in a joint statement, that young carers are "often caught in the middle of a well-meaning muddle".The four UK Children's Commissioners (one each for England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) said, in a joint statement, that young carers are "often caught in the middle of a well-meaning muddle".
It said they can miss out on vital support and called on governments at Westminster and in the nations to "properly identify and meet the needs of young carers, so that this largely invisible and often vulnerable group can get the support they need."It said they can miss out on vital support and called on governments at Westminster and in the nations to "properly identify and meet the needs of young carers, so that this largely invisible and often vulnerable group can get the support they need."
The Shadow Education Secretary Andy Burnham said it was "absolutely crucial" that young carers were identified and supported.The Shadow Education Secretary Andy Burnham said it was "absolutely crucial" that young carers were identified and supported.
He warned that "ill-thought-through reforms" in health and education could result in "disjointed and fragmented local services".He warned that "ill-thought-through reforms" in health and education could result in "disjointed and fragmented local services".
Other campaigners are worried young carers' services are being cut by councils and other bodies trying to rein in the country's debt after the recession.Other campaigners are worried young carers' services are being cut by councils and other bodies trying to rein in the country's debt after the recession.
The National Young Carers Coalition says there should be no cuts for services that support young carers, "so that they are not forced into caring roles that are inappropriate and damaging to their health and wellbeing".The National Young Carers Coalition says there should be no cuts for services that support young carers, "so that they are not forced into caring roles that are inappropriate and damaging to their health and wellbeing".
Ms Teather said the government wanted to help.Ms Teather said the government wanted to help.
Its new strategy, to be launched later this year "makes it clear that everyone working with young people and their families, including GPs and teachers, must do more to identify and support young carers," she said.Its new strategy, to be launched later this year "makes it clear that everyone working with young people and their families, including GPs and teachers, must do more to identify and support young carers," she said.
Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story?Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story?