YOUNG CARERS AND THEIR FAMILIES (No. 2)

Early day motion 2344, tabled 12 June 2006 by Annette Brooke (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 110 members.

That this House is inspired by the vital work undertaken by thousands of young carers who look after a parent or guardian; notes that these children, who rarely choose to be carers, nevertheless confound negative stereotypes of young people; recognises that, despite the support they give to others, the vast majority of the United Kingdom's 175,000 young carers endure their entire childhoods with no assessment or support themselves; regrets that services for adults and services for children often struggle to work in partnership to ensure that fewer disabled and ill parents have to rely on their children for care, especially where a local authority does not have a protocol for joint working; believes that young carers should receive appropriate recognition and support at school, led by a named member of staff; further recognises that few schools implement this practice, which is recommended in the Department for Education and Skills guidance; believes that this may contribute to the number of young carers who become serial truants; and calls for every school to take steps to identify and support pupils whose caring responsibilities put their education at risk.

Signatures by party: Labour 47, Conservative 29, Liberal Democrat 26, DUP 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Scottish National Party 2, Social Democratic and Labour Party 2.