NCC807 Support for Young Carers in Northumberland

A young carer is defined as "anyone under the age of 18 whose life is in some way restricted because of the need to take responsibility for the care of someone, usually in their family". Under the legislation is called the Children and Families Act 2014 and the Care Act 2014 Local Authorities must assess whether young carers have support needs and take 'reasonable steps' to identify and try to provide for those support needs.

The level of care is defined as providing regular and ongoing care and emotional support to a family member who is physically or mentally ill, disabled or misuses substances. The range and scale of caring varies greatly. It can involve lots of physical care including personal care, giving medication, and helping someone to dress or move around. It can be looking after siblings, paying bills, cooking, cleaning, shopping, or translating. Some young carers give no physical care but provide emotional support, particularly for someone who has a mental health condition or misuses substances.

The Council wish to commission a Provider to process referrals from its 'front door' using its young carer assessment process and toolkit and identify appropriate support for individual young carers in Northumberland. Further details of the Contracting Authority's requirements under the Contract and other relevant information are detailed in the Specification at Schedule 2.