*South Lanarkshire Young Carers Service

South Lanarkshire Young Carers Services, delivered by Action for Children, commenced in South Lanarkshire in the summer of 2020. The service supports the four locality areas in South Lanarkshire including: Clydesdale, East Kilbride, Hamilton/Larkhall/Blantyre. Cambuslang/Rutherglen.

Being a young carer often means looking after a family member who is ill or helping them by looking after other family members. Young carers often do more chores than other children would. On top of providing emotional support to the person they care for, they may also have to learn how to attend to personal care tasks, such as bathing/dressing, administration of medication and managing finances and shopping. Young carers also prepare meals and attend GP appointments.

Young carers need to have some time out of their caring role to participate in a range of activity that they can enjoy with their peers.

Young Carers have rights under the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 and the Young Carers Services have a duty and responsibility to work with young carers if they have a caring role and with the young carers family to assess their needs and level of support.

Young Carers will be supported to achieve and maintain their wellbeing and be fully informed and supported in relation to their caring role. The service will provide an inclusive and holistic range of supports which will be tailored to the individual young carer.

The young carers service will offer a range of support services including:

• Complete Young Carer’s Statements
• Practical and emotional support
• Individual support
• Family support
• Activity groups
• Peer support
• In school supports and awareness raising
• Short breaks provision
• Hold a regular Young Carers Forum