Young carers within armed forces families

According to research on young carers and statistics from the Ministry of Defence, there are likely to be over 10,000 young carers from an armed forces family.

This group of children and young people are managing the substantial impact of both their caring responsibilities and growing up in the armed forces community, whilst also navigating school, friendships and family life, and growing up.

This page has been funded by the Armed Forces Covenant trust to provide advice and guidance to professionals working with both young carers and armed forces families.

Who is a young carer within an armed forces family?

A young carer is a person under 18 who provides care for another person. A young carer might look after someone because they have a disability, neurodivergence, a long-term illness or mental health condition, or a substance dependency.

Young people who care and have a parent, stepparent, or carer who is or was a member of the armed forces are a young carer within an armed forces family.

160,000

Children and young people currently growing up in the armed forces community.

5 schools

Average number of times a child or young person in the armed forces moves schools.

4-9 months

The amount of time a parent can be away each time they are deployed.

Toolkit

NOTE: Some families may not want to speak to the unit welfare team but might be willing to work with other professionals inside or outside of the armed forces. It is important to have conversations with the family to ensure you have consent to seek any support unless you have concerns for the child’s wellbeing when you should contact your local children’s services.

“Identification” is when a child or young person is identified as a young carer. All professionals working with children and young people have a responsibility to identify young carers and explain to them their rights, so that they can make informed choices about their caring role.

What might change for a young carer when they are identified?

A child or young person may access more support services including their school or regional young carers service.
A child or young person might feel better understood by professionals.
The child or young person might receive additional support following a young carers assessment.
The cared for person might receive additional professional care resulting in the child or young persons responsibilities reducing.
A child or young person might be considered a child in need and be supported by the local children’s services.
A child or young person might have new opportunities to socialise with other children and young people who have experienced similar things.
The child or young person might receive specific help for their mental health.

What can I do?

Include a question on your registration form; Is there anyone in the family who your child provides emotional or practical support to because they have a disability, neurodivergence, a long-term illness or mental health condition, or a substance dependency?
Include information about local young carers services in welcome packs.
Put up posters on notice boards and on toilet doors.
Find out who provides your local young carers services and get in touch, they might be able to visit your setting to talk to groups, provide resources and keep you informed about local services.
Communicate with parents through conversations and via social media, websites, and newsletters.
All young carers are entitled to a young carers assessment, find out who provides the assessment by contacting your local council and ask for a copy of their referral form.
Be prepared to explain what a young carer is and what services are available.

“Deployment” is when the serving family member has to go away to work for the army, navy, RAF or marines for a period of over 24 hours, it is often called a “tour of duty” or “operations”. Deployments are normally between 4 and 9 months.

What might change for a young carer when a family member is deployed?

A child or young person’s caring role might begin, restart, or increase.
A child or young person might temporarily loose access to transport, preventing them from accessing social or personal development opportunities.
A child or young person's priorities might change as they focus on their caring responsibilities, this might impact on their wellbeing, education, health and opportunities to socialise.
A child or young person might feel sad or have added stress and anxiety about their deployed family member.
Family events, holidays or celebrations might be postponed or cancelled taking away “things to look forwards to”.

What can I do?

Ask. The child or young person may not want anything else to change, or they might want more support. Each young carer is an individual and they are likely to be able to tell you how best to meet their needs.
Notice. Is there any change in the child or young person's routine, demeanour or behaviour? Check in if you have cause for concern.
Reassess. Consider whether the family need a needs assessment or a reassessment, if you are concerned about the amount of responsibility or the impact the caring responsibilities is having on the child or young person then speak with the family and refer them to the local council.
Provide. Make space and time for the child or young person to come to you if they want or need to.

“Posting” is the term used when the serving member is assigned a new role and must move to a new job at a different base. This normally means the family have to relocate - moving home, schools, and jobs all at the same time.

What might change for a young carer when their family is posted?

Their caring role might increase whilst their parents manage the logistics of moving.
They might be concerned about support services changing or being lost, they might feel anxious about having to start from scratch.
Added sadness, stress and anxiety about moving home and leaving existing security, friends, school and clubs behind.
A child or young person may feel relief and hope if things have been difficult at their current posting, or they are being posted to a base that is familiar or near family and friends.

What can I do?

Ask! The child or young person will likely be able to tell you what will help and hinder them in the coming weeks.
Have a conversation with the young carer about their responsibilities during the moving process, does any additional support need to be provided to the family? If so, and with the families consent, speak to the unit welfare team on the base.
If you work in a school, make sure information about the child or young person’s caring responsibilities is included in the Common Transfer File.
If you work for another service, with the child and parents consent, contact the school or community support worker at the child’s new location.
Together with the family, locate the young carers service in the new area and put in a referral. If there is a waiting list advocate a high placement on the list on behalf of the child or young person, utilising the principles outlined in the armed forces covenant.
Together with the child or young person, write a letter, draw a story board, or create a short film that the child or young person can share with professionals when they move.
Has the family had a “young carers needs assessment” speak to the assessment provider about how this can be handed over.
Say goodbye; write a card, create a memories board, throw a leaving party. Ensure the child or young person has a good ending.
Provide space for the child or young person to process the change.

One million

Children and young people currently have caring responsibilities in England and Wales.

Average number of days a year a young carer is absent from school.

40%

Percentage of young carers who say their caring role impacts on the time they can spend with their friends.

Training

If you work with young carers or armed forces families you are invited to attend our FREE training, funded by the armed forces covenant trust.

Training for professionals working with armed forces families.

Training will cover: The definition of a young carer. The impact of caring responsibilities. How to identify young carers and factors leading to a young carer becoming “hidden”. The unique needs of young carers within armed forces families. The law and legislation surrounding young carers. How you can support and refer young carers.

To find out more and book onto a course please click here.

Training for professionals working with young carers.

Training will cover: The definition of a young carer within an armed forces family. The impact of growing up in the armed forces. The unique needs of young carers within armed forces families. The law and legislation surrounding children and young people growing up in the armed forces community. How you can support young carers from armed forces families.

To find out more and book onto a course please click here.

Armed Forces Covenant

By signing the Armed Forces Covenant organisations demonstrate a willingness to actively consider members of the armed forces and their families and ensure they are not at a disadvantage due to serving in the military.

For more information click here.

This page has been created using funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Trust.