Supports Available to Young Carers
There's lots of help available for young carers in South Ayrshire. To get this support, they need to be must be recorded via one of the following pathways:
- Through their school or Early Years Centre - (SEEMiS)
- Through the NHS - (Care Partner)
- Through Employability & Skills, Skills Development Scotland, or college - (DataHub)
Teeny Carers (pre 5 years old)
- Activ8+ membership (enjoy free access for a child and an adult to General Swimming and Fun & Float sessions, Learn2 Swim, Learn2 Dive (entry criteria applies), Gymnastics & Minis programmes. Sports Camps, Crash Courses & Bounce & Play sessions run during holiday periods and can be accessed free of charge).
- Free access to Active Communities sports camps (normally £10 per day)
- Funding opportunities
- Whole family opportunities (e.g., panto tickets, Culzean passes, residentials, day trips)
- Supported transition to primary school
- Teeny Carer Statement
Wee Carers (primary aged)
- Activ8+ membership for age 8 and under (enjoy free access for a child and an adult to General Swimming and Fun & Float sessions, Learn2 Swim, Learn2 Dive (entry criteria applies), Gymnastics & Minis programmes. Sports Camps, Crash Courses & Bounce & Play sessions run during holiday periods and can be accessed free of charge).
- Activ8 membership for over age 8 (enjoy free access to General Swimming and Fun & Float sessions. Competent Swimmers can also attend Lane Swimming & Inflatable sessions free of charge. You can also enjoy our Learn2 Swim, Dive (entry criteria applies) & Gymnastics programmes free of charge. Sports Camps, Crash Courses & Bounce & Play sessions run during holiday periods and can be accessed free of charge).
- Free access to Active Communities sports camps (normally £10 per day)
- Funding opportunities
- Supported transition to secondary school
- Wee Carer Statement
- Residentials and trips
- Activities during the school day (e.g., Little Art School, bushcraft, Ayr United football tournament)
- Whole family opportunities (e.g., panto tickets, Culzean passes, residentials, day trips)
- Wee Carer Voice Group
- One to one tutoring
- Carers service for children who need more intense or expert support
Young Carers (secondary aged)
- Activ8 membership for over age 8 (enjoy free access to General Swimming and Fun & Float sessions. Competent Swimmers can also attend Lane Swimming & Inflatable sessions free of charge. You can also enjoy our Learn2 Swim, Dive (entry criteria applies) & Gymnastics programmes free of charge. Sports Camps, Crash Courses & Bounce & Play sessions run during holiday periods and can be accessed free of charge).
- Free access to Active Communities sports camps (normally £10 per day)
- Funding opportunities
- Young Carer Statement
- Residentials and trips
- Activities during the school day (e.g., trips to Parliament, Dolphin House, training opportunities, rowing on the River Ayr)
- Whole family opportunities (e.g., panto tickets, Culzean passes, residentials, day trips)
- Young Carer Voice Group
- One to one tutoring
- Apply to university via Widening Access
- Young carers can apply for Modern Apprenticeships with South Ayrshire Council via the Young Carers Guarantee
- Young Carers can participate in the Duke of Edinburgh Awards scheme free of charge and their caring responsibilities will count as their volunteering activity. There will be additional support and flexibility offered to young carers to help them complete their award.
- We can offer accredited certification for our young carers, including Dynamic Youth Awards and Participatory Democracy Certificates.
- Young Carer Young Scot package (discounts and treats that change weekly)
- Young Carer Grant for 16, 17 and 18 year olds. £390 paid each year. Conditions apply. We can support applications.
- Carers service for children who need more intense or expert support
Young Carer Grant
The Young Carer Grant, provided by Social Security Scotland, is a yearly payment for Young Carers who are aged 16, 17 or 18, and provide care for 16 or more hours per week. You may be caring for just one person, or up to three people, but any time you spend caring counts towards the 16 hours per week.
With more responsibilities and less free time, many Young Carers don't get the same opportunities as their peers. This payment is for them to spend how they choose and it doesn't matter whether they are in school, further education or training, employed or unemployed.
More information and details of how to apply can be found here.
How do you apply?
Social Security Scotland takes applications via their freephone helpline on 0800 182 2222, by post or online.
Young Scot's Young Carers Package
The Young Carers Package is part of the Scottish Government's commitment to recognising the contributions of Young Carers across Scotland. The package is completely free and includes digital vouchers, access to subscriptions and exclusive opportunities. Best of all, the treats change every week so there is always something new to claim, enter or apply for. The package is designed to support Young Carers to make the most of their free time and allow them to feel supported in the caring role.
Which Young Carers can access the package?
All Young Carers, aged 11-18, are entitled to access the package of non-cash benefits.
To access the package you will need a Young Scot National Entitlement Card. All young people in Scotland, aged 11-26, are entitled to one. Visit the Young Scot Young Carers Package information page to find out how to get your card. Alternatively, you can speak to the South Ayrshire Carers Centre for support to access the package.
Free Access to Leisure
Young Carers in South Ayrshire receive free access to Sport and Leisure memberships through South Ayrshire Council's Activ8 scheme.
Any Young Carer up to age 25 can sign up for the membership. Young Carers must be registered as a Young Carer on SEEMiS, or registered with our commissioned Carers service, Carers Gateway.
Click here to find out more about the membership benefits by age range.
Click here to apply for an Activ8 membership.
