Short messages on Family issues and relationships from Respect Yourself, the guidance site for young people to help make good decisions in life.
Neglect may involve a parent’s or carer’s failure to: provide adequate food, clothing and shelter; protect the child from physical and emotional harm or danger; supervise the child properly; make sure the child receives appropriate medical care or treatment.
One in seven children aged 11-17 (13.3%) have been neglected. Almost one in ten (9.8%) have experienced severe neglect.
Neglect is persistently failing to meet a child’s basic physical and/or psychological needs resulting in serious damage to their health and development.
Around one in five (18.6%) children aged 11-17 have been severely maltreated. More than one in eight children aged 11-17 (13.4%) have experienced severe maltreatment by a parent or guardian.
The ACA Transitions project provides emotional support and individualised services for Young Adult Carers to help them access: Further education, Employment and training opportunities, Benefits, Support for their family, Social opportunities and respite.
Young Adult Carers may feel isolated from their peers, feel financially disadvantaged and miss out on age appropriate social activities. They may have missed out on gaining qualifications and struggle with accessing further and higher education, or employment. They may have low self-esteem and find decision-making difficult.
In the UK, 244,000 people under 19 are carers, caring for their parents, siblings and family members. In England, 1 in 12 young carers spend more than 15 hours a week looking after a parent or sibling, and 1 in 20 misses school.
Young Adult Carers (16-24) provide care to family members who have a long term illness/disability. This includes both chronic and terminal illness, physical disability which impairs day to day life, learning difficulties, mental health problems, drug/alcohol dependency and autistic spectrum disorders.
If you’re 13 to 16 and want contraception, an abortion or tests for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the doctor, nurse or pharmacist won’t tell your parents (or carer) as long as they believe that you fully understand the information you’re given, and your decisions.
Surround yourself with people who inspire you to smile. People who help you up when you’re down. People who would never take advantage of you. People who are honest and genuinely care. They are the ones worth keeping in your life.