Assessment and awareness of the challenges can help young people

In the UK, young carers are defined as people under the age of 18 who give regular and ongoing care to a family member, beyond that normally expected of a child ( Phelps 2012 ). They can be doubly burdened by the demands of caring itself and by the effect on development, health and education. Often these problems are compounded by secrecy with children and families often afraid to ask for help ( Smyth et al 2010 ).