The
Carers Trustsaid that despite the fact these young people save the country billions of pounds in care costs, they "are often left struggling at college and university without the support they need".
Researchby Carers Trust and Nottingham University reveals over half of them experience difficulties and as many as 16% feel they may have to drop out, more than twice the national dropout rate.
Combined with these pressures many, young adult carers also experience poor physical and mental health. In a survey, 39% rated their physical health as either ‘Just OK’ or ‘Poor’ and 45% reported having mental health problems (nearly twice the national average of 25% in the UK), clearly indicating that young adult carers need to be identified early and supported.
Lilian Greenwood, MP for Nottingham South said:
"This report highlights the difficulty young adult carers face in going to college and university – something other young people take for granted.
"This year the law has been changed to ensure that in future young carers should find it easier to get the support they need – but we all need to work together to make sure this vulnerable group of young people, with the vast range of talents they have, are able to pursue their ambitions in life."
The research found that while three quarters of the young adult carers had explained their caring role to their college or university, nearly half (45%) still said there was no one there that helped them.
Previous research by
Carers Trustand Nottingham University has shown that of those who have been to college or university, 29% of young carers have dropped out because of their caring role - four times the national average. Almost half who had left full time education were unemployed.
Dr Moira Fraser, Director of Policy and Research at Carers Trust, said: “Young adult carers, who do so much for other people, should be able get the best possible education, but caring responsibilities are having a negative impact on the education of half of the carers in this sample. Student carers need the flexibility and support to ensure they can succeed and fulfil their potential”
The research was part of a wider study of young carers and young adult carers aged 14-25 undertaken as part of Carers Trust’s ‘About Time’ Programme, funded by The Co-operative Group, who made
Carers Trusttheir charity of the year for 2013.
Professor Saul Becker,Assistant Pro-Vice-Chancellor at the University of Nottingham, said: “The care and support that young adult carers require needs to be coordinated and should involve academic services, student health and welfare services, local student unions and others.
“Student health and welfare services should be proactive in ensuring that young adult carers at college and university receive suitable services and support to enable them to achieve and make the best of their education and opportunities.”