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Presents a letter to the editor in response to the article "It's Alright Mummy," in the October 2004 issue.

This article looks at results of a government-commissioned study in Great Britain concerning kin carers. It found that despite suffering more financial hardship, many kin carers are paid less than unrelated foster carers. They are more likely to receive little or no social work support, have no family placement worker and no access to training. It warns that special guardianship orders could similarly be used by local authorities to restrict services for kin carers.

Reviews the non-fiction book 'Children Caring for Parents With Mental Illness,' by Jo Aldridge and Saul Becker.

The article reports that financing for the social carers' support scheme was stopped as the British government felt the program is not reaching enough carers.

The article focuses on young carers in Great Britain. It states that the recent split of council social services for adults and children has resulted in young carers falling through the gap. A pilot project is being made with the Children's Society to develop pathways for young carers and their families.

Is it a sign of weakness for a social worker to feel emotional pain when a client dies in tragic circumstances? No, says Mark Sloman

Looks at a support group organized for young carers who have parents with a mental health problem. Highlights of the story of an 11-year old boy who lives with his mother with bipolar mood disorder; Estimated number of young carers who provide care for a parent with mental health problem; Impact of living with mentally ill parent on children.

The article reports that nine-year old Chelsea Nye got a free cookery lesson from Ashley Palmer Watts, head chef of the Fat Duck restaurant in London, England. It notes that the chef was so impressed by a cookbook made by young carers at charity Jigsaw4u that he offered them the chance to hone their skills. It cites that Watts and the children cooked a three-course meal at the event in Mitcham, Surrey, England, organised by the charity.

Thousands of young carers and their families could lose more than £3,500 a year under proposed welfare reforms, according to The Children’s Society.

The article presents abstracts of studies about children who are living with and caring for parents with mental health problems, the pespectives of young carers, parents and professionals about child caregivers, and the experiences and needs of children caring for parents with severe and enduring mental illness.

The author emphasizes the need for cooperation between disabled people's organisations and carers' groups to push for more social care in Great Britain. According to the author, the debate about carers is enjoying its highest political profile in years but the voice of disabled people is seldom heard in it. She contends that the growing number of informal carers is evidence of what happens when an expansion in the numbers requiring support meets fast-retreating public services. She points out that it is hard to believe that politicians listen to carers.