Carers and exclusion
Carers are already a marginalised group, However there are groups of people in specific caring situations who may be even more excluded.
Every caring situation is different and every carer is an individual with their own specific needs. Below are some points for health professionals to bear in mind when working with carers who may have particular needs.
Mental Health
Carers of people with mental health problems may face particular barriers when dealing with health professionals on behalf of the person they care for. For more information visit the Mental Health page.
Young Carers
Young carers are children who look after someone in their family who has an illness, a disability, a mental health problem or a substance misuse problem. Young carers take on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult.
The caring can involve lots of physical care such as personal care for a parent, giving medication, helping someone get up, get dressed or to get around. Or it could mean providing emotional support for someone who has a mental health problem or substance addiction. In addition, many young carers are also responsible for looking after younger brothers and sisters and all or most of the household chores.
Young carers are at risk of social isolation and bullying, under-achievement, absenteeism from school, and physical and mental ill health.
Our young carers website has an area specifically for professionals working with young carers.
Black and minority ethnic carers
Carers from all communities face similar difficulties in caring for someone, however there are some differences in the issues faced by black and minority ethnic (BME) communities, such as:
- Communication difficulties, including language barriers
- The need for interpreting and translation services
- Lack of understanding of the health and social care system
- Lack of culturally appropriate and responsive services
- The word carer does not exist among many black and minority ethnic communities. Many people, therefore, do not see themselves as carers. They see themselves as mother, father, son, daughter etc who care for a relative who is sick or disabled
Contact your Carers’ Centre for information on supporting BME carers locally.
The Princess Royal Trust for Carers runs a national contact group for carers support professionals working with BME carers. Contact Shahida Awan for more information.
Useful links:
Wales Assembly Government – Challenging the Myth
Afiya Trust – National Black Carers and Carers Workers Network
Supporting South Asian carers and those they care for: the role of the primary health care team
Experiences and Needs of carers from the South Asian Communities
Gay, lesbian or bi-sexual carers
Gay, lesbian or bi-sexual carers may face particular barriers when dealing with professionals such as:
- A lack of recognition of their role as a carer;
- A fear of discrimination;
- Stigma associated with the caring situation and/or the condition of the cared for person.
Useful links:
Partners in care: Being equally different - lesbian and gay carers
Gay and Lesbian Information Network
Carers in rural areas
Carers in rural areas may face particular isolation due to:
- The long distances and cost of travel from services and sources of support
- Public transport being infrequent and expensive
- A reluctance to make their situation public or approach services for help
Outreach services for patients are a good opportunity to provide support for carers too. Contact your Carers’ Centre for advice and information on supporting carers locally.
Useful links:
Carers UK Policy Briefing - Rural Carers
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