With a current disparity in the support young carers across Wales receive in school, Leader of the Welsh Conservatives and Clwyd West MS Darren Millar has called on the Welsh Government to create a level playing field.

Earlier in the Senedd, Mr. Millar attended a Carers Trust Youth Council event to mark Young Carers Action Day and to meet a young carers from across Wales, including Albie Sutton, a pupil at Ysgol Emrys ap Iwan.  

Later in the day, when speaking in the Business Statement, he referred to what young carers had told him about the support they are receiving at school and called on Welsh Government Ministers to ensure that all young carers in Wales receive the same level of support.

Requesting a Statement from the Minister for Children and Social Care on the support available to young carers in schools, he said:

“I attended the young carers event, as did other MSs, earlier on this afternoon, and was hugely impressed by the way that they were advocating for themselves and their needs.

“But one of the challenges that some of them shared with us was the inconsistent way that some schools provide significant support for young carers, whereas others don’t. And I do think that this is something that we need to focus some attention on here, as Members of the Senedd, so that we can eradicate those differences and ensure that there’s a level playing field of support in all parts of Wales.”

Responding, the Cabinet Secretary for Social Justice, Trefnydd and Chief Whip, Jane Hutt, agreed with Millar, stating “we must make sure that there’s good practice across all our schools”.

Speaking afterwards, he said: “I welcome the Cabinet Secretary’s response, but actions speak louder than words. Without the right support, caring can and does impact negatively on young carers’ educational attainment, and in the long term their employment opportunities and financial security. It is therefore crucial that we provide them with all the help and support they need.”

Albie, who cares for his mother who has several disabilities said: “I have to cook dinner for her and my family every night, help her get dressed, help her walk around the house, clean the kitchen and tidy the house every weekend - but those are just a few of my responsibilities as my mother’s young carer.

“Because I am in Year 11, I am trying to do my best to study and prepare for my GCSE exams in the summer, which is becoming increasingly difficult to balance on top of my caring role, and the other extracurricular commitments I have.

“It pains me to say it, but being a young carer can really take the fun out of life. My caring role often takes up most and sometimes all of my free time.

“Young carers also have to put aside their mental health to focus on the wellbeing of their loved one, which can be detrimental to their emotional health.

“To add to this, there is very little financial aid given to towards young carers, and we are twice as likely to be in poverty than our peers who aren’t carers. I hope that this will not be the case in the future, and more recognition is given to young carers across the nation and that the Welsh Government provide the necessary help we need.”