* Can you tell us how many young carers* (aged 17 years and under) you have listed in your local authority area for the following years April to March: 2015/16; 2016/17; 2017/18; 2018/19; 2019/20
2015/16: 3,160
2016/17: 3,108
2017/18: 3,131
2018/19: 1,129
2019/20 1,555
We should clarify that the decline in total number of young carers known to service is linked to introduction of GDPR and data exercise which had to be undertaken by the service and consent required to continue to be known to service and data held.
* Can you tell us the source of your information on numbers of young carers* in your local authority area. (*definition of a young carer: A young carer is someone under 18 who helps look after someone in their family, or a friend, who is ill, disabled or misuses drugs or alcohol.)
The source of the information is contract monitoring data reports and key performance indicators included in the contract for the service being commissioned.
We should clarify that the definition of a young carer used in Devon is taken from Section 96 of the Children and Families Act (2014); … “ a person under 18 who provides or intends to provide care for another person ( of any age, except where the care is provided for payment, pursuant to a contract or as voluntary work). This relates to care for any family member who is physically or mentally ill, frail elderly, disabled or misuses alcohol or substances”.
Devon County Council also applies the following definition “ A young carer is defined as a person under 18 who provides practical support, personal care and/or emotional support to a family member or friend of the family”.
These definitions are currently referenced within the service specification (which forms part of the contract) for the Young Carers Support Service which is currently commissioned in Devon.