Log in
Issue

young carers

8 stories · discussed at 7 council meetings · 7 councils

Councils are focusing on identifying and supporting young carers, with new charters and strategies being adopted.

Councils are addressing the under-identification of young carers and enhancing support for them. Sutton's Health and Wellbeing Board committed in September 2026 to improving identification and support as part of its Joint Carers Strategy 2025-30. This follows a report to Barnet's Children and Education Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee in March 2026, which stated only 13% of an estimated 6,500 young carers are known to services.

In Kingston, a report to the Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel in October 2025 estimated 2,000 young carers, while official records showed 355. To address these needs, Richmond Council was set to adopt its Richmond Adult Carers' and Young Carers' Charter 2026 in January 2026, developed with young carers to improve their health and wellbeing. Barking and Dagenham's Health & Wellbeing Board also adopted a refreshed Carers Charter in March 2026, which includes supporting young carers as a key area.

Key facts

  1. Sutton's Health and Wellbeing Board committed to enhancing support for young carers in September 2026. Source
  2. Barking and Dagenham's Health & Wellbeing Board adopted a refreshed Carers Charter in March 2026, including support for young carers. Source
  3. A report to Barnet's Children and Education Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee in March 2026 stated only 13% of an estimated 6,500 young carers are known to services. Source
  4. Richmond Council was set to adopt the Richmond Adult Carers' and Young Carers' Charter 2026 in January 2026. Source
  5. A report to Kingston's Health Overview and Scrutiny Panel in October 2025 estimated 2,000 young carers, while official records showed 355. Source
About this summary

This summary was written automatically from our published stories and the council meeting records they draw on. It describes what councils have discussed and decided; it does not take a view on any decision. Each key fact links to the story it comes from. Updated 23 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Email community@opencouncil.network.

Latest stories

  1. Kingston's children's mental health waiting lists remain a concern Kingston's children's mental health waiting lists remain a concern, despite efforts to improve services and reduce waiting times. Kingston upon Thames 23 October 2026
  2. Safeguarding Children Partnership Report Highlights Progress Richmond's Safeguarding Children Partnership has reported significant progress in its efforts to protect vulnerable young people, according to its latest annual report. Richmond upon Thames 18 October 2026
  3. New focus on young carers in Sutton Sutton's Health and Wellbeing Board has committed to enhancing support for young carers as part of a renewed focus on the Joint Carers Strategy. The strategy, which aims to... Sutton 9 September 2026
  4. Carers Charter refreshed for next decade Carers Charter refreshed for the next decade Barking and Dagenham 19 March 2026
  5. Thousands of young carers in Barnet remain unidentified despite improved identification efforts Thousands of young carers in Barnet remain unidentified, with an estimated 6,500 individuals aged five to 17 living in the borough, according to a report presented to the... Barnet 14 March 2026
  6. New carers' charter to be adopted by council Richmond Council is set to adopt a new charter aimed at supporting unpaid carers across the borough, with a focus on improving their health, wellbeing, and access to essential... Richmond upon Thames 30 January 2026
  7. Barnet Appoints Councillor Alison Moore as Food Champion, Discusses Task Force Updates Barnet Council has appointed Councillor Alison Moore, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, as the new Councillor Food Champion. Barnet 13 December 2025
  8. Kingston Underestimates Young Carer Numbers: Report 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... Kingston upon Thames 28 October 2025