'..It takes a lot of brain space': Understanding young carers' lives in England and the implications for policy and practice to reduce inappropriate and excessive care work. (18th August 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Margaret Gowen, Sara; Sarojini Hart, Caroline; Sehmar, Permala; Wigfield, Andrea
• Is Part Of: Children & society. Volume 36:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 118
• Page End: 136
• Publication Date: 2021-08-18
• Subjects: child development -- family -- policy and practice -- rights -- Young carers; Children -- Care and hygiene -- Periodicals; Child welfare -- Periodicals; Child welfare -- Great Britain -- Periodicals; Children -- Social conditions -- Periodicals; Child development -- Periodicals; 362.70941
• DOI: 10.1111/chso.12488
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0951-0605

Abstract

Abstract: This qualitative study, undertaken in England, explored young carers' perspectives on the nature of their caring responsibilities. The findings are significant, particularly in the context of England's Care Act 2014, which seeks to prevent children engaging in 'excessive' or 'inappropriate' caring. Our research placed children at the heart of the debate on what constitutes appropriate care. The findings raise key questions regarding effective implementation of contemporary child policy, duties of care towards children in caring roles and priorities for child protection and family support policy and practices, with the potential to inform thinking around child's well‐being in wider contexts.