Background
B is a young person who took on significant caring responsibilities for his father and younger siblings following the death of his mother. His father’s mental health deteriorated considerably after the loss, resulting in frequent hospitalisations and several periods of being sectioned. As a result, B became the main caregiver for his siblings, some of whom have additional needs.
Presenting Challenges
Following his mother’s passing, B faced multiple emotional, practical, and social challenges. These included:
- Grief and Emotional Strain: B struggled to cope with the loss of his mother and, to some extent, the emotional absence of his father.
- Increased Responsibilities: He managed household tasks such as cooking, cleaning, ensuring his siblings attended school, and overseeing his father’s medication. He also contacted emergency services when his father’s condition worsened.
- Educational Difficulties: Balancing home life and school was extremely challenging. As B expressed, “Juggling home life and school is hard — I don’t have friends anymore.”
- Emotional and Mental Health: B experienced anxiety and panic attacks, often resorting to self-harm to manage his distress.
- Financial Hardship: On several occasions, B was unable to attend school due to a lack of money for transportation or lunch.
- Reluctance to Seek Help: B did not identify himself as a young carer and preferred to “stay under the radar.” He found it difficult to trust professionals and rarely spoke about his feelings.
Advocacy Intervention
B began receiving support from an advocate who provided both practical and emotional guidance. Through consistent engagement, the following progress was achieved:
- Building Trust and Emotional Expression: B developed a trusting relationship with his advocate, which allowed him to open up about his feelings. He was reassured that his consent would always be sought unless safeguarding concerns arose.
- Developing Self-Awareness and Control: The advocate worked with B to create a personal profile, focusing on what others appreciate about him, what is important to him, and how best to support him. This process helped B regain a sense of control.
- Emotional Release: During several sessions, B became emotional and shared that he rarely cried — recalling only doing so at his mother’s funeral.
- Accessing Counselling: B agreed to participate in bereavement and counselling sessions.
- Educational Support: Together, B and his advocate engaged with the school’s pastoral lead. Reasonable adjustments were implemented to help him catch up with coursework, and a bus pass was provided to ease financial strain. His caring role was formally recognised, leading to further support from social services.
- Future Planning: As B approached his final exams, he expressed uncertainty about his career path. The advocate arranged a meeting with a Connexions advisor, who supported B in exploring college options and completing applications.
Outcome
B successfully achieved the grades required to pursue his chosen course in design. He continues to attend bereavement counselling and receives ongoing emotional support. Social services have since increased their involvement to provide additional help for his father and siblings, enabling B to focus on his education and personal development.
B’s journey demonstrates the importance of early advocacy intervention, emotional support, and practical assistance for young carers balancing complex family responsibilities with their own growth and wellbeing.
To find out more about our Project for Young Carers and how we are supporting young people across Sandwell, please visit: https://sandwelladvocacy.org/latest-projects/advocacy-project-for-young-carers/
Independent Advocate
Sharon Wilson