“…Research on these young people is challenging because they often do not recognise themselves as caring relatives or identify themselves as such (Cass and others, ; Noble‐Carr and Woodman, ). This lack of self‐identification combined with a low level of awareness among professionals from healthcare, education and social services (Leu and others, 2018) is one of the reasons for a lack of sustainable policies and intervention strategies (Leu and Becker, ), and such is the case in Switzerland.…”
An online survey of children in school grades 4–9 (mostly aged 10–15) was conducted in order to determine the prevalence of young carers in Switzerland using a 2‐stage stratified sampling approach. 4082 respondents were drawn from 230 schools. A total of 3991 respondents were included in the analysis and of these 307 (7.7%) were identified as young carers. The population estimate of prevalence was 7.9 per cent. This suggests that there are around 38 400 young carers in school grades 4–9 in Switzerland. Extrapolating to the 9–16 age group gives a figure of almost 51 500.
“…Research on these young people is challenging because they often do not recognise themselves as caring relatives or identify themselves as such (Cass and others, ; Noble‐Carr and Woodman, ). This lack of self‐identification combined with a low level of awareness among professionals from healthcare, education and social services (Leu and others, 2018) is one of the reasons for a lack of sustainable policies and intervention strategies (Leu and Becker, ), and such is the case in Switzerland.…”
An online survey of children in school grades 4–9 (mostly aged 10–15) was conducted in order to determine the prevalence of young carers in Switzerland using a 2‐stage stratified sampling approach. 4082 respondents were drawn from 230 schools. A total of 3991 respondents were included in the analysis and of these 307 (7.7%) were identified as young carers. The population estimate of prevalence was 7.9 per cent. This suggests that there are around 38 400 young carers in school grades 4–9 in Switzerland. Extrapolating to the 9–16 age group gives a figure of almost 51 500.
“…At governmental and societal levels, awareness of young carers’ experiences and needs as a distinct social group ranges from extensive to no apparent awareness or policy response (Leu & Becker, ). Nordic countries like Norway and Sweden are at an intermediate level of awareness and Finland is at an awakening level, according to a classification of national and policy responses to young carers (Leu & Becker, ). However, the authors do not mention Denmark.…”
Awareness of young carers’ experiences and needs is low on governmental and societal levels in Denmark. This article presents findings from the first evaluation of a Danish respite programme, the Buddy Programme, which aims to provide support to young carers aged 5–15 years who experience serious, chronic or mental health problems and/or death of a parent or sibling. Over a four‐six month period, volunteer students from University College Copenhagen offer young carers the opportunity of respite through participating in ordinary activities such as play and sports. In 2017–2018, based on a child‐centred approach, we conducted a qualitative study with interviews focusing on how the Buddy programme affected the children. The interviews took place at programme start, halfway through, and after completion with 22 children and 21 parents, as well as single interviews with 20 Buddies assigned to families after completion. Three main themes were identified: (1) the Buddy programme as an activity, (2) how the Buddy Programme affected the children and (3) ending the Buddy programme and wanting to continue the friendship. Our findings emphasise the importance of fun and cosy activities that provide children with respite from the serious concerns that otherwise fill the lives of young carers. Being with a Buddy created a free space, allowing children to play undisturbed and to temporarily keep concerns and a guilty conscience at a distance. By offering friendship, Buddies provided opportunities for young carers to feel special, be seen, acknowledged and taken seriously as a child with valid and specific needs and interests. Our findings may help increase awareness of the needs and interests of young carers on governmental and societal levels.
“…The person receiving care is often a parent but can be a sibling, grandparent or any other relative who is disabled, has some chronic illness, mental health problem or other condition connected with a need for care, support or supervision. (Leu & Becker, , p. 750)…”
Children who have parents with any kind of illness may become young carers who take a responsibility not expected of children for household tasks, or personal or emotional care for parents and siblings. So far, little is known about children in Sweden who are at risk of becoming young carers. The aim of this article is therefore to explore the extent and impact of children's caring activities as reported in a pilot study by a sample of children in Sweden. A number of international questionnaires measuring the amount of caring activities, impact of caring, quality of life, and psychological well‐being were translated and combined into a survey. The pilot survey was completed by 30 children 10–18 years of age. Also, when completing the survey, the children were interviewed concerning their experiences of caregiving. The participants report on a group level emotional symptoms such as fear and nervousness above the clinical cut‐off value. They also rate a lower level of caring compared with findings from the United Kingdom, but they report a higher degree of negative impact of caring than young carers in the United Kingdom.
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