To work out whether caring tasks are excessive or inappropriate, children’s services should take into account all the circumstances. This will include the young carers:
- Age
- Sex
- Wishes and feelings.
For example, it may be that it is appropriate for an older child or teenage to undertake some caring tasks that a much younger child should not be doing.
Children’s services will look at the impact that the caring tasks have on the child’s wellbeing.
Government guidance called ‘Care and Support Statutory Guidance 2016’ says “A young carer becomes vulnerable when their caring role risks impacting upon their emotional or physical wellbeing and their prospects in education and life.”