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Monday, April 19, 1999 Published at 10:52 GMT 11:52 UK


UK

Bullies 'target young carers'

Young carers have extra responsibilities to shoulder at home

A majority of young carers have been bullied by fellow pupils as a result of their caring role, according to a report by the Princess Royal Trust.


The BBC's Liz Mackean: Being a carer makes them different
As many as 71% of young carers are picked on, it says, mainly because other children see them as being odd.

The report says bullying has a detrimental effect on their education. Many of these young people play truant from school.

The Trust estimates that there are 50,000 carers aged 18 and under in the UK, who are helping to look after a parent, sibling, or other relative with long-term illness or disability.

'Too much'

In some cases they were found to be the only person providing any care.

The results of the study, called Too Much To Take On, compare with a Kidscape survey which found that 68% of children were bullied at school.


[ image: ]
Some young carers said they had suffered bullying in a number of forms - being physically hit or grabbed, as well as called names and made to feel uncomfortable.

One young carer, Tracey Carter, said the bullying she experienced made her feel very angry.

The 13-year-old and her sister Lisa, 11, look after their father, Gary, who has severe arthritis and is registered disabled.

But Tracey said that other pupils at school had "taken the mickey" out of her because of it.

At one point, the bullying got so bad Tracey had to move to a new school.

The report recommends that local authority education departments should have a policy on the helpers, and that schools should work to reduce the stigma surrounding them.

It also says teachers should be given information on young carers during their training.

The report suggests that the government should put more money into developing projects to help young carers. In February the government unveiled a new strategy which it said would help young carers get the help and support they need.

The Princess Royal Trust for Carers was set up to help carers by providing information, support and practical help.



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