More support needed for young carers in education

A new report by the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Young Carers and Young Adult Carers has highlighted the devastating impact of caring responsibilities on the future prospects of hundreds of thousands of young people across the UK.

It is based on the findings of a wide-ranging inquiry by the APPG in the context of the Government’s ambition for every young person to be in education, employment or training. The report highlights the many barriers young adult carers encounter when trying to move on to further and higher education, training or jobs. These range from not enough financial support available when studying, to the lack of flexibility offered by universities and employers, to the toll caring for many hours every week takes on young people’s physical and mental health.

The report finds that 75% of young adult carers responding to the inquiry said their caring role made it difficult to take part in training or education opportunities. Thirty eight per cent have either had to turn down, or not apply for, a job because of their caring responsibilities. And almost half (49%) said they had missed out on education or training because of their caring role.

The report also found that 53% said their caring responsibilities has affected their finances in a way that makes it harder to take part in education or training.

In 2025, fewer than half (46%) of young carers left secondary school with five GCSE passes including English and Maths.

The APPG makes a series of recommendations for Government and other key stakeholders, based on evidence submitted to the inquiry. These include addressing financial barriers which force young people to choose between learning or caring, such as the 21-hour rule for Carer’s Allowance, and improving identification and support for young adult carers in education via a Young Carer/Student Carer lead in every educational setting.

Chris Vince MP led the inquiry as the APPG’s Chair, with Vice-Chair Alison Bennett MP and three young adult carer co-chairs. 

Chris Vince MP said: “This important report is being published just as the new Milburn inquiry begins work to look at how we tackle the huge challenge of youth unemployment levels. If the Government is to successfully address the epidemic of the near one million young people not in education, employment or training, then young adult carers must be included in all activity.

“Young adult carers should have the same opportunities as other young people - their caring role or a lack of support should not be a barrier. This is why support for young carers and young adult carers in education, and then into employment is so vital.”

Andy McGowan, Policy and Practice Manager, Carers Trust said: “Put simply - too many young adult carers are being denied access to crucial life-forming educational, training and employment opportunities. At the moment, whether young adult carers can access support to relieve the pressure of their caring role depends on where they live and whether their council prioritises their needs. And this inquiry has clearly shown how a lack of financial support for young adult carers in education means that young adult carers across the country are having to balance caring with learning and with paid work – often at huge cost to their physical and mental health. If young adult carers are to have a fair future, then this has to change – half a million young adult carers across the country need better recognition and support and they need it now."