Career workshops for young carers

Posted on: 25 June 2019

The first in a series of career health and care insights events to support young carers, held by West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership, took place in Huddersfield on Tuesday 25th June 2019.

The events, called ‘Couldn’t Care Less’, aimed to show young carers how their skills can be transferred into exciting and varied roles in the health and care sector, supported by role models from across local business and the NHS. 

There are around 260,000 carers living across West Yorkshire and Harrogate in Bradford, Airedale and Craven; Calderdale, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield.

This number includes thousands of young carers taking on a caring role from as early as six years old. Often they are caring for parents who have long-term health conditions, mental health difficulties or experience alcohol and substance use and misuse.

Sylvia Shatwell, Willow Young Carers, Barnardos said: “Many young carers find it difficult to cope with the added pressure of education and exams, with many feeling socially isolated and unable to take part in after-school and weekend activities. Juggling caring responsibilities with their school work and social development puts them under tremendous pressure when it comes to studying for their exams or considering their career aspirations and opportunities. This can result in lack of confidence, low self-esteem and in some cases depression or mental health problems – areas of concern we very clearly want to address”. 

A survey by Carers Trust found that 26% of young carers have been bullied at school because of their role - with 1 in 20 missing school as a result.

Rob Webster, CEO for South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and Partnership CEO Lead, said:

“Young carers often have a whole raft of skills and experiences that make them well suited to a career in health and care. We want these workshops to provide a balance of inspiration and practical support to address the pressures experienced by young carers. This group of young people need to know that they can have a future in health and care and the steps to take in making this a reality”.

In partnership with the Local Workforce Action Board, West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership has developed the programme to encourage more young people to consider the 350 different careers and opportunities available in the sector. Supported by health and care professionals, including a paramedic, emergency nurse consultant, physician associate; operating department practitioners and other roles in social care, digital/IT, communications and mental health nursing.

The work is also supported by Barnardo’s, Calderdale Young Carers Service and Ahead Partnership, an organisation that specialises in working with employers, educators and healthcare providers to engage, inspire and motivate young people around skills, career options and future employment.

The first ‘Couldn’t Care Less’ event featured employability workshops, career tester activities and discussion with key health care leaders.

Stephanie Burras CBE, Chief Executive of Ahead Partnership, said:

“The role of carer can be demanding for anybody, but young carers in particular face challenges around education, training and employment, with many facing barriers to accessing their desired future careers. In working with WY&H HCP and its supporting partners to facilitate this series of motivational career insight events, we hope to help young carers understand the value of the important skills they have learnt through their caring roles and demonstrate how these skills can be transferred into important and fulfilling careers within the health and care sector.”

Fatima Khan-Shah, Partnership programme lead for unpaid carers said: “It’s important that young people have every opportunity in life, to have a career they choose and the confidence to train, develop and do well in the working environment. Our young carers already have many transferrable skills and life experiences which make them excellent candidates for jobs in the NHS and other caring roles – which are much needed now and in the future.”

To find out more about West Yorkshire and Harrogate Health and Care Partnership visit www.wyhpartnership.co.uk.

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