New data reveals that young people with caring responsibilities are more than twice as likely as their peers to be persistently not in employment, education, or training (NEET) for a period of two years or more.
By Lisa Jones (Press and Research Communications Manager), Published
The research, published by City St George’s, Carers Trust and University College London, comes just days after the release of the Milburn report into youth unemployment, which identified young carers as one of the most ‘at risk’ yet ‘least visible’ groups vulnerable to NEET status.
The new data also highlights significant inequalities in progression through further and higher education, showing young carers are 40% less likely to complete a further education (FE) qualification, 31% less likely to attend higher education (HE), and 37% less likely to achieve a degree-level qualification
Crucially, the research outlines that these inequalities cannot be explained by socioeconomic background alone. Too often, insufficient support for young carers is not enabling them to balance schooling with caring. These barriers are having direct consequences on young carers’ life chances.
The study, based on long-term UK population data tracking more than 2,450 young people aged 16 to 25, provides some of the clearest and most recent evidence to date that young carers are being left behind.
Researchers are calling on the Government to treat young carers as a priority group within efforts to reduce youth unemployment and improve participation in education and training.
Dr Becca Lacey, Reader in Social and Lifecourse Epidemiology in the School of Health & Medical Sciences, said:
“It is a national failure that a young person's life opportunities are so heavily penalised because they care for a loved one. This isn't explained by their economic background - the act of caring is derailing their future."
"It must also urgently address the lack of financial support for young adult carers caused by out-dated benefit parameters such as the ’21 hour rule’ for Carers Allowance, which forces far too many young people to choose between caring and their futures."
Andy McGowan, Policy and Practice Manager at Carers Trust, said:
“This new data shines a further light on the deeply concerning findings of the Milburn report, the recent APPG for Young Carers and Young Adult carers inquiry, and what young carers have been telling us for years - that they are not starting on a level playing field their peers when it comes to education, work, and the transition into adulthood."