In NSW there are approximately 83,700 young carers who are up to the age of 25 years, however this is likely an underestimate due to low carer identification in children and young people. Young carers can experience significant barriers to participating in education and social activities, and have limited access to appropriate supports. For many, this can result in lower health and wellbeing, as well as reduced school attendance, engagement and performance, and risk of long-term socio-economic disadvantage.
Younger carers often come from diverse communities, such as culturally and linguistically diverse and LGBTQI+ communities, with these carers being likely than other carers to be caring for multiple people but less likely to identify as a carer. Diverse young carers can face even greater challenges and compounding intersectional disadvantage. While it is well accepted that caring experiences are diverse, with carers coming from all walks of life, the experiences and needs of young carers from diverse communities is rarely discussed. Furthermore, there has been limited examination of the intersections of caring, gender, culture and sexuality and the impacts of these intersections on the experiences and support needs of diverse young carers.
This presentation will aim to increase understanding and awareness of the diversity of young carers and caring experiences, including intersectionality and caring. The presentation will draw on Carers NSW research and resource development activities that shed light on the experiences of diverse young carers, including interviews, survey data and stories shared by diverse young carers for research audiences. The presentation will build the capacity of service providers to better identify and respond to young carer needs, enabling them to access support and achieve optimal outcomes.