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For more information related to Young Carers and the Young Carer Identification Questionnaire please use the link below to access pages on East Lothian Council's website focused on this topic.
East Lothian Council Young Carers Service
East Lothian Council Young Carers Service
The Carers Act (Scotland) 2016 came into force on 1st April 2018. The Act requires local authorities to identify and support young carers, offering all young carers a Young Carers Statement (an opportunity for the young carer to consider their caring responsibilities and the impact it is having on their wellbeing before making a plan to ensure their personal goals are realised). This Statement is separate from the Child Planning Framework but can be an appendix to it as it will provide invaluable information, particularly the child/young person’s views.
As Young Carers are defined as anyone under 18yrs or 18yrs and still in school the majority of East Lothian’s young carers will be in our schools. It is therefore crucial that this service works in partnership with schools to identify our young carers. Current estimates suggest we could have approximately 1500 young carers in East Lothian (based on Scottish Government figures). However the latest studies carried out by Carers Trust (UK) suggests this figure could be as many as 3000. The 2022/23 ELC SEE survey suggested that this figure could be as many as 4,000. Currently we have identified around 670.
ID Cards
Young Carers registered with the service can apply for a carers ID card. Young carers have told us that having this card will increase their confidence and give them the recognition they deserve. For more information contact mprior1@eastlothian.gov.uk.
Young Carers Challenge
Show Young Carers in your school that you care by taking the challenge.
a4-ycad-posterprofessionals-2026---proof-3.pdfYoung Carers Action Day 2026
This year’s theme, “Fair Futures for Young Carers,” was originally introduced in 2024 and will continue to guide our efforts. Why? Because creating fair futures isn’t a one-time goal—it’s an ongoing commitment. This theme acts as an umbrella, allowing us to focus on education, employment, health, and wellbeing for young carers year after year.
Why does this matter?
Young carers often face unique challenges that can impact their future opportunities. By shining a spotlight on these issues, we can work together to create a society where every young carer has the chance to thrive.
Meet the ELC Young Carers Team
Young Carers Youth Worker - Laura
Reid
07855986883
Link worker for Musselburgh and North Berwick Local Areas
Young Carers Youth Worker - Susan Kerr
07779022361
Link worker for Tranent and Haddington Local Areas
Young Carers Youth Worker - Ryan Girvan
rgirvan@eastlothian.gov.uk
07790779710
Link worker for Prestonpans and Dunbar Local Areas
The Service Staff regularly visit schools in order to;
Stage 1 - raise awareness of young carers with staff through input at staff CAT/CPD/In-Service Day sessions. Encourage a staff member to take on the role of Young Carer Champion. Ensure staff are familiar with the referral pathway (and make connections with YCs already identified to offer YC Statement/review YC statement).
Stage 2 - raise awareness of young carers with pupils through presentations/workshops to students at assemblies/PSE lessons/publicity on news feed screens/posters (and make connections with YCs already identified to offer YC Statement/review YC statement).
Stage 3 - support the completion of YC statements for newly identified YCs if they want one, encourage/support staff (who may be better placed) to complete YC Statements with pupils who would prefer this.
Stage 4 - offer drop-in sessions for YCs needing info/advice, help set up young carers focus group, supporting young carers set up their own support group if they wish, encourage YCs to become YC Ambassadors, plan for YC Action Day, help YC apply for Young Scot Carers Package/Carers Grants/Local Break from Caring Fund.
Stage 5 - offer longer term/specific support to YCs when required.
While ELC is no longer funding the voluntary organisation, East Lothian Young Carers, it continues to support a number of Young Carers.
Please note that as of 31st July 2021 there are specific timescales in which the offer of a YC Statement should be made to the Carer of a Terminally Ill Person. Please therefore get in touch immediately if you have any pupils in this situation.
East Lothian Young Carers Pathway
East Lothian Young Carers Pathway
ELC Young Carers Pathway.pdfEast Lothian Young Carers Statement
East Lothian Young Carers Statement
Young Carers Statement.docxUseful Resources
Useful Resources
GIRFEC Young Carers.pdfGetting it Right For Young Carers - The Young Carers Strategy for Scotland: 2010-2015 Summary
Getting it Right For Young Carers - The Young Carers Strategy for Scotland: 2010-2015 Summary
carersscotlandact2016jargonbusterforyoungcarers.pdfCarers (Scotland) Act 2016 - Jargon Buster for Young Carers
Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 - Jargon Buster for Young Carers
carers-act-stautory-guidance.pdfCarers (Scotland) Act 2016 Statutory Guidance
Carers (Scotland) Act 2016 Statutory Guidance
Carers-Charter.pdfCarers Charter - Your rights as an adult or young carer in Scotland
Carers Charter - Your rights as an adult or young carer in Scotland
We-Care-Award-Information-Booklet.pdfWe Care Schools for Young Carer Award: Information and Guidance
We Care Schools for Young Carer Award: Information and Guidance
We-Care-Themes-and-Standards.pdfWe Care Schools for Young Carers Award: Themes, Standards and Evidence
We Care Schools for Young Carers Award: Themes, Standards and Evidence
young-carers-in-education-a-resource.pdfYoung Carers in Education: A Resource in Identifying and Supporting Young Carers in Education
Young Carers in Education: A Resource in Identifying and Supporting Young Carers in Education
ELC Young Carer A4 Poster v9_Hres.pdfEast Lothian Council Young Carers Service Poster
ELC Young Carer A6 Postcard v9_Hres.pdfEast Lothian Council Young Carers Service Postcard
Awareness Raising Classroom Activity Resources
Awareness Raising Classroom Activity Resources
Information on Supporting Young Carers.pdfInformation on Supporting Young Carers
Information on Supporting Young Carers
Young Carer's Assessment of Need Guide.pdfYoung Carers: Assessment of Need
Young Carers: Assessment of Need
Young Carer's Plan for the Future Planning Template.pdfYour Plan for the Future
Your Plan for the Future
YC PSE Lesson - Year 1 (2024).pptxELC Young Carers Service Initial Workshop
ELC Young Carers Service Initial Workshop
YC PSE Lesson - Year 2 (2024).pptxELC Young Carers Service Follow up Workshop
ELC Young Carers Service Follow up Workshop
Dundee Carers Centre Lesson Plans.pdfOther Services Lesson Plans
Other Services Lesson Plans
Edinburgh Young Carers Lesson Plans.pdfOther Services Lesson Plans
Other Services Lesson Plans
Young Carer's Problem-Solving Tool.pdfYoung Carers Problem Solving
Young Carers Problem Solving
Young Carer's Weekly Planning Template.pdfMy Week and Weekend
My Week and Weekend
Diary Entry from a Young Carer Example Text.pdfYoung Carer Diary Entry
Young Carer Diary Entry
Diary Entry of a Young Carer Male Version Example Text.pdfYoung Carer Diary Entry
Young Carer Diary Entry
Positives and Negatives of Being a Young Carer Activity Sheet.pdfPositive and Negatives of Being a Young Carer Task
Positive and Negatives of Being a Young Carer Task
Positives of Being a Young Carer A4 Display Poster.pdfPositives of Being a Young Carer Examples
Positives of Being a Young Carer Examples
Young Carer Grant's
Young Carer Grant's
Young Carer 'Time for Me' Grant Application 2025.docx Young Carers "Time for Me" Grant Application form. Electronic version also available here : https://forms.office.com/r/u7S5PYrYGt
Young Carers "Time for Me" Grant Application form. Electronic version also available here : https://forms.office.com/r/u7S5PYrYGt
Young Carers looking for information about mental health and wellbeing are encouraged to visit the Children and Young People's Mental Health and Wellbeing Information Point using the link below.
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