The importance of breaking down the wall that very often exists around the cancer patient but, even more often, the wall that the patient erects to defend himself or, in the case of the children, to protect and defend them.
Providing support for young carers and accessible information on the illness
The negative impacts of caring must be considered, not only in families but also with all professionals working with carers.
Teaching staff need to be more aware of the rights of young carers.
Helping carers understand their rights under the Carers (Scotland) Act 2016.
Practitioners must listen to young people and take their views seriously. They must also include young people in key decisions and communicate.
The key to change is the development of a whole-family approach and for all agencies – including children’s and adult’s services – to work together to offer coordinated assessments and services to the child and the whole family. There may be differences of view between children and parents about what constitutes appropriate levels of care, and these may be out in the open or concealed. Resolution requires a whole-family approach and good partnership working.
To help practitioners to implement the changes in legislation for young carers and their families outlined in the Care Act 2014 and Children and Families Act 2014. Both pieces of legislation promote a whole family approach.