Young carers
This refers to a student that has unpaid caring responsibilities (other than parental caring responsibilities).
UCAS defineExternal link (Opens in a new tab or window) a carer as providing ‘unpaid care and support for a family member, partner, or friend who has an illness, disability, mental health condition or addiction’.
Some studies also distinguish between a ‘carer’ and a ‘young carer’.
Some use Office for National Statistics census data, which defines a young carer as someone aged between five and 17 who provides unpaid care or support to anyone because of long-term physical or mental health conditions or illnesses, or problems related to old.
Other studies use a similar definition but define ‘young’ as up to the age of either 18 or 25.
On a provider level:
UCASExternal link (Opens in a new tab or window) provides information on carer status. It can be matched to Individual Learner Records by a provider for internal database purposes.
Note: Definitions and the quality of each study vary.
HEPI (2023) ‘Student Academic Experience Survey 2023External link (Opens in a new tab or window)’. HEPI. (Accessed 12/12/2023)
Lynn Kettell (2020) ‘Young adult carers in higher education: the motivations, barriers and challenges involved – a UK study’, Journal of Further and Higher Education, 44:1, 100-112, DOI: 10.1080/0309877X.2018.1515427
Mountford-Zimdars, A., Sabri, D., Moore, J., Sanders, J., Jones, S. & Higham, L. (2015) ‘Causes of differences in student outcomes’. HEFCE;
NHS Digital (2018) ‘Mental Health of Children and Young People in England, 2017External link (Opens in a new tab or window)’. (Accessed 11/01/2024)
Peytrignet, S., Grimm, F., Tallack., C (2023). ‘The Health Foundation: Understanding unpaid carers and their access to supportExternal link (Opens in a new tab or window)’. (Access 11/01/2024)
Sutton Trust’s written evidence to the Young Carers APPG submission citing research from Sutton Trust, COVID Social Mobility and Opportunities Study: Wave 1, 2021-2022. Data available at UK Data Service: UK Data Service › DO
TASO (2023) ‘Rapid review to support development of the Equality of Opportunity Risk Register’External link (Opens in a new tab or window). (Accessed 12/01/2024)
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