Young carer services
Support, space and understanding for young people with caring responsibilities in Perth and Kinross
PKAVS Young Carers supports young people between the ages of 5 and 17 who provide care or assistance to a family member of any age who has a disability – physical or mental, learning difficulties, a long-term health condition or is affected by problem drug or alcohol use.
Supporting You
This can be a big responsibility and may mean you missing out on things that other young people take for granted such as taking part in social activities etc
We have many different ways in which we may be able to support you. Together we will explore what you feel you may need to help you have time outside your caring role. Some of the supports that you might be able to access are:
Trips and residentials
We have a variety of daytrips and residentials through the year for both primary and secondary aged young carers. These are an opportunity to get a break from your caring role and to take part in something you may not do every day such as kayaking, laser tag, horse riding and much more!
One to One Support
If there an area of your life that you feel is holding you back or causing you stress such as accessing public transport, finding ways to stay calm, cooking for your families we may be able to work with you 1-1 for up to 6 sessions.
Counselling
Sometimes it can be difficult to know exactly how you feel or to find someone that you can talk to in confidence. We have our own counsellor at PKAVS who can meet weekly with young sessions for around 6 weeks (longer if required) to allow you a safe space to talk and explore your feelings.
Support with Education
Caring for someone can sometimes make school feel harder. We can help with one-to-one tutoring for S3-S6 pupils, tutor led learning group for S1-S3 and small group sessions in literacy and numeracy for primary pupils. Our Education Attainment Project helps you stay on track, build confidence and feel more supported with learning.
Social activities
We have regular drop in groups for primary and secondary young carers every fortnight which is a chance to meet other young carers your own age and to take part in fun activities. We also have a cooking group, fitness groups and dungeons and Dragons group. For those that are unable to attend our groups we have a small amount of funding to support young carers to access other types of active such as gymnastics, karate, horse riding etc.
PKAVS have been absolutely fantastic and I don’t know what I would have done without you.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a referral to get support?
You do not have to be registered with us to get support from school as a young carer. However you would need to be part of our service to access our supports.
What is a Young Carers Statement?
A Young Carers Statement is a chance for you to tell us what life is like and what kind of help would make things easier. It helps us build support around your needs.
What kind of support do you offer?
We can offer supports such as counselling services, education support and respite opportunities.
Can I get help with school?
Yes. We offer one-to-one tutoring for secondary pupils and small group sessions for primary pupils focused on literacy and numeracy.
Is the service free?
Yes. Everything we offer through the Young Carers service is free for you to access.
Can I meet other young carers?
Absolutely. Our respite groups and trips are a great way to meet other young people who understand what it’s like to be a young carer.
What if I don’t want a group?
That’s okay. We can offer one-to-one sessions or support you to do something independently that helps you take a break
Is it confidential?
All information we have about you is stored confidentiality on our database. Whilst we do share the names of registered young carers with schools we do not share details of your caring role nor pass on anything you have told us without your permission. (Unless we have real concerns for your safety)
How do I get started?
You can get in touch directly, or someone like a teacher, youth worker or family member can contact us for you. We’ll have a chat to understand what support might help you most.
Here for you, wherever you are
Our Carers Hub is based in North Muirton, Perth, but we support carers across the whole region. Whether through a school visit, an in-person appointment or meeting in the community we’ll find the right way to reach you.
We’re here Monday to Friday, 9am to 5.00pm. You’re welcome to drop in or get in touch to speak with a member of the team.
Find your support
The first step is simply a conversation where you can tell us a bit about your life and what would help you feel more supported. It’s all about you, what you’re dealing with, what’s important to you, and how we can help make things a little easier by talking or messaging us.
Start Your Support as a Young Carer
Complete the online form below to get help and support with your caring role.
Get in touch
PKAVS Carers Centre, Lewis Place, North Muirton, Perth PH1 3BD
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