Who is a young carer?
A young carer is a child or young person under 18 who provides care for a family member who has a physical or mental illness, disability, substance misuse issue, or other health condition. This might include helping with practical tasks, personal care, emotional support, or managing household responsibilities.
What age range do you support?
Our Young Carers Service supports children and young people aged 5-18 years old who are living in Kent and have caring responsibilities for a family member.
How can I access the service?
You can contact us directly on 0345 095 6701 or email enquiries@crossroadskent.org. Young carers can self-refer, or referrals can be made by parents, family members, schools, social workers, healthcare professionals, or other agencies.
Do you charge for your services?
No, all our Young Carers services are completely free to access. This includes one-to-one support, group activities, trips, workshops, and all other support we provide.
What activities do you organize?
We organize regular group evenings, day trips during term time, holiday activities, and special events throughout the year. Activities might include trips to theme parks, outdoor adventure activities, cinema trips, sports activities, arts and crafts workshops, and much more. All activities are designed to give young carers a break and a chance to have fun.
Do parents or carers need to attend activities?
No, activities are specifically for young carers to attend independently (with our staff supervision). This gives them valuable respite time away from their caring responsibilities. For younger children, we'll ensure appropriate supervision ratios and keep parents informed about activities.
Will my school know I'm a young carer?
Only if you want them to. We can work with your school to help them understand your caring role and ensure you get appropriate support with your education. Many young carers find it helpful when schools are aware, but this is always your choice, and we'll discuss it with you first.
What if my caring role changes or becomes too much?
Please let us know. We can review the support we're providing, work with your family to assess the situation, and connect you with other services if needed. We want to ensure you're not taking on inappropriate caring responsibilities and that you have the right support in place.
Can my siblings access the service too?
Yes, if your siblings (aged 5-18) also have caring responsibilities, they can access the service. We support all young carers in the family.
How can professionals refer a young carer?
Professionals can contact us on 0345 095 6701 or email enquiries@crossroadskent.org to discuss a referral. We work closely with schools, social services, healthcare professionals, and other agencies to ensure young carers get the support they need.
Have more questions?
Get in touch on 0345 095 6701 or email enquiries@crossroadskent.org