DD1 told me shes now a "young carer"!!

[lisad123]

DD1 who has Autism came home last night and told me shes now part of the "young carers" group and gets to do this and that ect.
Now I love the fact she feels important, and seems to be looking forward to the activities. BUT Im not happy the school have done this without discussing it with me at all! I only had a meeting with them 2 weeks ago and no mention of it was said.
I dont think she meets young carers critia, yes she has a younger sibling with Autism and yes her dad has cancer but cant see how she is taking on caring role with either of them.

Ah lisad123, that is sweet.

Dd had an assembly where they were raising money for a disability youth group that ds2 attends. Apparently she shot her hand up and the head invited her on stage to talk about the group.

She like to be bossy feel involved.

At my DCs school this means: a tag on their homework diary (most crucial aspect), there is a support group, and there may even be trips, on invites to LA special events etc.
The tag is one of many kids have (one of mine once had 2, both have one, neither is a carer one). It is a visual reminder/warning for teachers, with hopefully the consequence: children are not kept late after school, they are given a little leeway, if especially stressed they may given a chance to talk to someone/escape the classroom. It can also give a heads up to teachers that they may need to be sensitive: eg. PSHE, RE, English and Science can all cover subjects that may especially affect some pupils.

You should be very proud of her.

My children have the most bizarre life at times, living with DS1 who is severely disabled with challenging behaviour. Everything centres on him, he entirely dominates the house, he has to be watched all the time and we can't even watch TV or listen to the radio while he's here and we all get hit a lot.

If that doesn't qualify my other kids for some sort of 'special' status (call it a young carer or call it what you like), then I don't know what does. I think the carer's organisations are just trying to acknowledge these sort of extreme circumstances that families find themselves in. It is not for everyone as not everyone lives like this.

However, I would prefer money was spent on respite frankly

well so would I bakelitebelle but a trip to legoland when we would never be able to take them (the NT ones) because we don't get any respite is gratefully received and ds1 enjoys himself iykwim. Except my council have struck him off the young carers list aswell because I am not an alcoholic, well we will put paid to that

I'll pass you the wine, Roger!!! How sad your children won't benefit any more when they need it. As this thread proves, 'young carer' is a vague term and open to interpretation.

Our carers organisation used to run series of sessions specifically for siblings of disabled children. I feel that is a better way to do it as it is a very different experience from being the child of someone with a physical or mental illness and it put the kids in touch with others who were in a similar situation. The sessions were also not ongoing like the general young carers sessions, so lower cost implications.

yes I completely AGREE! :) it is hard being a sibling I think. My sibling was chronically ill, my sons sibling is severely disabled both developmentally and physically) , I think we all need to access 'normal' occassionally :)

Two of my ( now adult) friends have siblings with SN, they have been young careers in their day tho both would deny they were given undue responsibility and now they are still involved in their siblings care as parents age and become infirm in ways that I am not with my NT sibling.

Lisas123's DD has chosen to identify as a young carer and I'd like to give her a big thumbs up for making that step on her own. Sorry you heard about it unexpectedly Lisa, hope she enjoys the club and the company/ activities that go with it.