Young carers
We Provide:
- Support to young carers, through a wide range of individual and group support.
- Assessment of young carers needs in order to access services and ensure their views are heard.
- Assistance to young carers to take part in activities which improve their quality of life.
- Recreational/activity programmes, after school groups and a mentoring service.
We Can:
- Act as advocates for young carers and their families to ensure they receive the services to which they are entitled.
- Work together with other agencies to protect young carers so that caring does not adversely affect their development.
Our Funders:
Havering Young Carers Service is run by Barnardo's in partnership with the London Borough of Havering. The young carers service is supported with additional funds from Havering Community Chest.
Our basis and values:
Havering Young Carers Service operates within Barnardo's basis and values and equal opportunities policy, in which difference is valued and diversity is respected.
Support Services for Carers
What is a 'Breaks' Service?
A 'breaks service is defined as one which actually gives the carer a break from the responsibility of supervising or caring for the cared for person by providing a service to that person. Where the carer is a child, a service which helps the child to take part in activities outside the home, so that they can truly benefit from such a break, is also to be defined as a 'breaks' service.
A 'breaks' service must always aim to provide a positive experience for the service user as well as a break for the carer.
Employment
You may feel stressed because you are combining caring with paid employment and in effect, doing two full-time jobs. If you have not already done so, it may be beneficial to inform your employer that you are a carer. Some employers operate family-friendly working practices, which include flexible working hours, compassionate leave and unpaid leave. Some have a policy specifically relating to carers. If you are not sure about your employer's policies, talk to your personnel officer, union representative or another staff member.
Annual leave and emergencies
All employees are entitled to four weeks' paid leave and have the right to unpaid time off work to deal with an emergency involving a dependant (including husband, wife, civil partner, child or parent, or someone living with you as part of your family).
Flexible working
Mothers and fathers of children aged under six, or disabled children under 18, who have a minimum of 26 weeks' service, have the right to apply to work flexibly.
Maternity/paternity/adoption leave
All pregnant employees, regardless of length of service or number of hours worked, are entitled to 26 weeks' ordinary maternity leave. Women with 26 weeks' service by the 15th week before the baby is due are entitled to a further 26 weeks' unpaid additional maternity leave.
Fathers with 26 weeks' service by the 15th week before the baby is due are entitled to two weeks' paid leave, which can be taken from the date of birth or up to eight weeks from the birth.
Adoptive parents with 26 weeks' service are entitled to 26 weeks paid and 26 weeks unpaid leave. The couple can decide who takes adoption leave and who takes paternity leave.
Parental leave
Parents (either fathers or mothers) of children born or adopted on or after 15 December 1999, who have a minimum of one year's continuous service with their current employer, are entitled to 13 weeks' unpaid leave or 18 weeks for a child receiving Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
Parental leave can be taken up to the child's fifth birthday of a disabled child, or up to the fifth anniversary of the placement date of adoption (or the child's 18th birthday, if this is sooner).
Further information
For further information about balancing caring and employment, contact CarersLine (0808 808 7777), see Juggling your work and care? Available from Carers UK (0845 774 0969 or info.carersuk@carersuk.org) or see www.carersuk.org/Information/Caringandwork
The website of Employers for Carers (www.employersforcarers.org.uk) includes information for carers who are looking for work or are in work, or are caring and not in paid work.
Working Families (0800 013 0313; www.workingfamilies.org.uk) can advise about flexible working, and produces a number of publications and factsheets.
Bereavement
The death of someone close to you can bring on a range of feelings – from sadness, to numbness, to anger. If you had been caring for them for a long time you may feel a loss of sense. You may prefer to cope on your own, or with support from family or friends. But if you need someone to talk to – about either the emotional or practical aspects – contact Havering Direct.
Contact Havering Young Carers Service
Havering Young Carers Service
24 Victoria Road, Romford, Essex, RM1 2JH
Tel: 01708 756607 or 01708 756618
Mobile: 075 075 98743
Fax: 01708 754498
External web link for Barnardo's:- https://www.barnardos.org.uk/