Young Carers

Covenant pledge to support county's young carers

We've become the latest organisation to sign a national pledge committing to help the county’s young carers reach their full potential.

The Young Carers Covenant was developed by young carers across the UK and outlines 10 key outcomes which they have said are vital to improving their lives. This includes being able to thrive in education and being able to access and succeed in employment and training opportunities.  While Scotland’s Carers Act already places a statutory duty on local authorities to support young carers, the Covenant represents a deeper, values-based commitment to truly hear and act upon the lived experiences of young carers.

 

“Signing the Covenant sends a message to young carers that they really matter to us,” said Marie Prior, Coordinator, Young Carers who signed the Covenant on our organisation’s behalf. “We’re not just doing this because legislation tells us to - we’re doing it because we’re listening and responding to what young carers are saying.”

Any organisation or individual with the power to make a difference - whether councils, schools or voluntary groups - is encouraged to sign the Covenant.

“It's both a public statement and a reflective tool for evaluating how services are helping young carers thrive," explained Marie. “It’s a powerful way for organisations to ask themselves: what are we actually doing for young carers? It puts the focus where it belongs - on the carers themselves - and makes clear our commitment to help them flourish.”

Marie added: “A very positive outcome from our work around the Covenant is that young carers registered with us will, for the first time, be guaranteed an interview for a council position if they meet the essential criteria for the post they are applying for. This is a really exciting development and offers real opportunities for our young carers entering the workplace.”

The signing took place on 11 June in the company of East Lothian’s Young Carers Advisory Group and Councillors Fiona Dugdale and Shamin Akhtar, East Lothian’s Cabinet Members for Education and Children’s and Family Services and Health and Social Care respectively. 

ID cards

Young Carers registered with the service can apply for a carers ID card. Young carers have told us that having this card will increase their confidence and give them the recognition they deserve.For more information contact mprior1@eastlothian.gov.uk.

Free entry for carers to visitor attractions

A number of organisations will give discount or free entry to Carers when they are accompanying the Cared for Person e.g. Zoo, Cinema, Concerts. They don’t seem to advertise this so it is always worth asking.

Find out more here

Out and About - Free Entry to Visitor Attractions

Local discounts for young carers

Foxlake operate a system whereby you can email them prior to making a booking and explain that you are a Young Carer. They will then provide you with a Carers Discount Code. Please note that this code can only be used for Carers, not other family and friends.

Consent forms

If you are intending to join us for activities at any point in 2025 please complete our annual consent form if you have not already done so or if your circumstances have changed.

Complete the annual consent form here

Congratulations

A huge congratulations to Knox Academy for being the first school in East Lothian to obtain the 'We Care; Schools for Young Carers  We Recognise Care Award'.

Run by Edinburgh Young Carers, but with support from local services across the country, the We Care Award recognises and rewards good practice around identifying and supporting young carers in schools across Scotland.

Young Carers Advisory Group

We continue to call on our Young Carers Advisory Group to obtain their views on how the service is developing. We now have small but committed team of Young Carers attending these meetings which take place approximately once every school term. If you are over 12yrs and interested in getting involved, please let me or your local worker know. Travel, snacks and the occasional thank-you treat (vouchers/trips) are provided.

Helpful videos

• Financial Support for Young Carers
• Behind the Scenes
• Mental Health Support for Young Carers
• Transitions
• What is a Young Carer?