Kingston Underestimates Young Carer Numbers: Report

28 October 2025

Kingston upon Thames is significantly underestimating the number of young carers in the borough, according to a report presented at the Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel meeting on 23 October 2025.

While official schools census records indicate 355 young carers, the report estimates the true number to be closer to 2,000. This discrepancy, highlighted in the Focus on Carers Report, raises concerns about the support and resources available to these young people, who often face significant challenges balancing their caring responsibilities with their education and personal development. The underestimation is partly attributed to the fact that identification of young carers in schools needs improvement, with Kingston partners using Accelerating Reform Fund (ARF) funding to address this issue.

The report highlighted the importance of identifying young carers through various initiatives, including the No Wrong Door Memorandum of Understanding, which ensures that young carers are promptly identified and connected to the right support, regardless of which service they first contact. To further embed the 'No Wrong Door' approach, AfC and partners are running promotion and training campaigns, including a roadshow of presentations to over 20 forums, such as schools, GPs, hospitals, and children's and adult services. Kingston Carers Network's (KCN) Young Carers Project also offers tailored support, including skills-based youth groups, respite, and one-to-one mentoring. KCN is also developing resources, training and guidance for schools to improve the identification of young carers.

According to the Focus on Carers Report, young carers are missing 23 days of school every year on average. The report also noted that nearly one in four young carers say they get no support at all.

Kingston partners are committed to continued collaboration to improve outcomes and experiences for carers. Key work includes:

KCN developing resources, training and guidance for schools to improve the identification of young carers.
AfC and partners running promotion and training campaigns to embed the No Wrong Door ways for working.

Councils Involved

Kingston upon Thames

Meetings Involved

the Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel of Kingston upon Thames Council on 23 October 2025

People Involved

Liz Green Chair of the Health Overview Panel Liberal Democrat St. Mark's and Seething Wells Ward

Councillor Tom Reeve Chair - Surbiton Neighbourhood Committee Liberal Democrat Surbiton Hill Ward

Andrew Bolton Liberal Democrat Coombe Vale Ward

Councillor Lorraine Dunstone Chair - South of the Borough Neighbourhood Committee Liberal Democrat Hook and Chessington North Ward

Councillor Helen Grocott Liberal Democrat King George's and Sunray Ward

Councillor Roger Hayes Liberal Democrat Kingston Town Ward

Councillor Mike Massimi Liberal Democrat Old Malden Ward

Farshid Sadr-Hashemi Liberal Democrat Kingston Gate Ward

Councillor Andrew Sillett Chair - Licensing Committee Liberal Democrat Coombe Vale Ward

Susan Skipwith Liberal Democrat Norbiton Ward

Jane D'Souza

David Still

Kathryn Yates

Jamal Chohan Deputy Leader of the Opposition; Opposition Spokesperson for Leisure and Economic Development Kingston Independent Residents Group Tudor Ward

Topics

Young Carers Kingston Carers Network Young Carers Project No Wrong Door Focus on Carers Report HOP 23 October 2025