Support for Highland young carers strengthened by new strategy

A new strategy published by The Highland Council and NHS Highland for Young Carers was welcomed by Members of the Council’s Education, Children and Adult Services Committee today (28 August 2014).

Chairman of the Committee, Councillor Alasdair Christie marked the importance of the ‘Young Carers Strategy 2014’ which builds on the principles of the previous ‘For Highland’s Young Carers Strategy’. He said:

“We cannot underestimate the hugely valuable role in society that young carers undertake for their families and loved ones and the impact that this sometimes has on their own health and wellbeing.

“The Council’s Programme is committed to ensuring the best possible quality of life for children and young people in the Highlands and this new strategy will help to ensure, with our partners in NHS Highland and the wider community that we best meet the needs of, and provide support to, our young carers in the region.”

Highland Council’s Champion for Carers, Councillor Bren Gormley added: “The joint NHS Highland and Highland Council Young Carers Strategy recognises that carers are our equal partners in care, but it also recognises that young people need to be able live their own lives outside of their roles as carers.

“Through excellent partnerships with the NHS, Connecting Carers, and the support groups in Skye and Lochalsh, Caithness and East Sutherland, East Ross, Tain and Inverness, among others, the strategy has identified what works well and what is further needed to support our young carers.”

Elaine Adams, Connecting Carers said: “I am delighted to present the EPIC (Equal Partners in Care) Highland Young Carer Strategy which has evolved from a great deal of hard work from young carers throughout the Highlands.

“A lot of what young carers have said has been included in the strategy. The Young Carers Improvement Group has also taken on board the comments of our young carers and ensured that the strategy reflects what young carers say they need from services.”

She added: “Partnership working has been integral to the strategy. We need to continue to work hard at identifying young carers in Highland as some of them don’t even realise that they are young carers. The strategy aims to identify young carers, provide them with information, support and training.”

The Young Carers Strategy will be implemented by the joint NHS Highland / Highland Council Young Carers Improvement Group and will be reviewed annually.

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