Adoption & Fostering Group Angus

Angus Carers Centre is a right based charity working with and for unpaid carers from all walks of life living across Angus. We exist to improve the quality of life for all carers by building genuine and equal relationships, connecting, providing practical and emotional supports and influencing change at a local and national level.

A young carer is a child or young person under the age of 18 who helps take care of someone in their family who may have a chronic illness or a physical or mental disability; translates or communicates for a family member. Many of our young carers don’t even realise they have a caring role and often struggle to manage their role as a carer alongside school, friends, and social activities. There will also be support from staff to complete a young carers statement.

We have a couple of specific services for our young carers:

High School project – There are young carers in high schools who still need the opportunity to discuss there caring role. We have an identified High School Education development Worker who visits each of the eight Angus secondary schools monthly, providing drop-in support sessions. Advice and advocacy are provided, and support to gain further information in relation to young carer grants and other signposting opportunities. Our one to one support sessions are available when the young carer feels they need this. Our High School EDW will support teachers with training in an aim to identify young carers earlier to offer preventative support, rather than crisis management.

The promise project – ‘The Promise Project’ aims to work within primary schools to raise awareness, help identify and support all our young carers from Primary 1 – Primary 7. These young carers will have a low-mid caring responsibility. We can help by offering a ‘drop-into schools’ service to encourage/facilitate peer support groups, 1:1 session and aid complete their Young Carer Statement, this is an important tool to assist them throughout their education years.

Families Programme – The families programme is a service to ensure we are continuing to adopt and implement the whole family approach. The Families Programme supports families who have a child with a disability or an additional need (there does not need to be a confirmed diagnosis, but your child must be on a waiting list to be assessed), take part in meaningful activities as a whole family. Our aim is to reduce the feeling of isolation and to introduce peers to build relationships. The families programme offers support, advocacy and signposting to parent/carers.

How to refer
You can self-refer or ask a professional to do it on your behalf, alternatively go to our website press the’ get support’ button and answer a few simple questions. Someone will contact you to discuss how we can support you.