Young carers research and expertise to inform US government agency

Expertise on young carers from Manchester Met will be helping to inform a specialist United States government agency who will be visiting the University this week.

Manchester Met is hosting a four-day international conference to help share ideas and shape the best approaches to supporting young carers, who are children and young people under 18 looking after a loved one who has a condition such as a disability, illness or mental health problem.

The University is a leading centre for research into the topic and informing policy around it, led by Professor Saul Becker, Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Health and Education.

As part of the conference – The 4^th International Young Carers Conference – a special roundtable event will take place for the U.S. Government Accountability Office, a non-partisan federal agency and the research arm of the U.S. Congress, which is visiting to learn how young carers are supported in the UK.

Prof Becker: “Being a young carer can be extremely tough, isolating and they are often overlooked on both the important role they play but also the difficulties they can face.

“As a former young carer, I know how lonely and difficult it can be and what we can do to support them as best as possible, even if it’s for a day’s respite care to provide young carers with the opportunity to step away from their responsibilities.

“Working with partners in the charity, health, social care and education sectors, we look to identify the obstacles faced by these young people in leading as normal as possible lives and providing the best support for them and their families.”

He added: “We’re delighted to be hosting the conference which will feature the leading experts from around the world, as well as young carers who are pivotal to the event. We’re also very excited to be welcoming the U.S. Government Accountability Office which demonstrates the impact and influence our work has internationally for young carers.”

Prof Becker and Andy McGowan, from the Carers Trust, previously spoke to the University’s podcast MetCast to explore the issue of young carers.

Later this year, Prof Becker will launch the University’s new Institute for Children’s Futures which combines Manchester Met’s existing strengths in children, young people and families.

He has spoken widely on the ‘crisis of invisibility’ faced by young carers – who can provide up to 50 hours a week care –   including many high-profile media appearances.

The conference will run from 9-12 April with Eurocarers, Carers Trust, Linnaeus University, MYTIME Young Carers, Commonwealth Organisation for Social Work and the Commonwealth Year of Youth.

It will welcome 250 delegates from more than 20 countries to Brooks, including 40 young adult carers. The conference programme includes over 100 papers, workshops, symposia and can be found here. It will focus on inclusion, empowerment, support, and impact, showcasing the depth and breadth of global research and practice in supporting young carers.