THURSDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER, 2015

IMMEDIATE RELEASE: PHOTOGRAPH ATTACHED – L-R YOUNG CARERS SCHOOL OUTREACH WORKER WITH PKAVS YOUNG CARERS HUB JILLY MORRIS AND PKAVS YOUNG CARERS COORDINATOR BILLY MORRISON FROM PKAVS AND NHS TAYSIDE (PERTH & KINROSS) PROJECT & BUSINESS MANAGER JO SOUTHERN

Young Carers Identification Card pilot in Perth & Kinross

NHS Tayside (Perth & Kinross), in collaboration with PKAVS, is to launch a pilot to test a Young Carers Identification Card in the area.

The card is designed to support young carers registered with PKAVS Carers Hub in educational, health or other useful public settings.

Young carers are children and young people under 18-years-old who provide care, assistance or support to another family member.

They carry out significant or substantial caring tasks and assume a level of responsibility usually associated with adults. The person receiving care is often a close family member who is disabled, has a chronic illness, mental ill health or other condition which requires a need for care, support or supervision.

Professionals within health and education may not be aware of who young carers are and the pivotal role they can play within a family setting, as well as the challenges they may be facing.

The identification card is designed to enable people to be recognised as a young carer, as well as increasing their confidence to manage their caring role.

The card will allow medical professionals to share information with the young carers where appropriate and can also assist schools in identifying young carers and putting measures in place to support them.

The Young Carers Identification Card has been piloted previously in other health boards across Scotland.

NHS Tayside (Perth & Kinross) Project & Business Manager Jo Southern said, “The continuing collaborative work between PKAVS Carers Hub and NHS Tayside is exceptionally positive and the launch of the Young Carers Identification Card will be yet another step in ensuring our young carers in Perth & Kinross are identified and supported.”

Jilly Morris, Young Carers School Outreach Worker with PKAVS Carers Hub, said, “Feedback from young carers in other health board areas who have previously piloted identification cards has been very positive.

“These young carers have commented that just having access to the card has been a comfort and others have mentioned that they have found it very supportive within educational and health settings. If these cards have proven to be such a support to young carers in other areas then we need to make sure that they are available to the many young carers in Perth & Kinross too.’”

For further information, please contact Jo Southern on j.southern@nhs.net or 07793 746525.

Alternatively if you, or someone you know, would like to refer a child to PKAVS Carers Hub for additional support with their caring role, please telephone 01738 567076 for more information.

Contact:

Debbie Huband

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740134