Support for young carers

East Sussex Young Carers

Young carers (under 18) help take care of someone at home who cannot look after themselves. This might be because of a disability, illness, or problems with alcohol or drugs.

East Sussex Young Carers (ESYC) helps young carers aged 5 to 18.

Find out what ESYC can do for you

Siblings of disabled children

The Sibling Service (Sibs) helps children aged 6 to 17 who have a brother or sister with a disability.

Sibs organises fun days out and group activities, and helps make local support groups. If you want to know about events or news, you can join the Sibs mailing list.

Some activities might have a charge.

The service is for brothers and sisters of disabled children who do not:

  • have their own moderate to severe Special Educational Needs (SEN), or
  • go to a Social, Emotional, and Mental Health (SEMH) school or group.
Join the Sibs mailing list

If you have other questions, contact the SIBs team .

Funding help for young carers

Young carer’s personal budget

If you are under 18 and you help take care of an adult, you might be able to get some money called a personal budget.

This is a one-time payment to help you buy something that makes caring easier for you.

It could help you get:

  • school supplies or things for learning
  • fun or relaxing activities when you need a break
  • things to help you stay healthy and active

You can ask East Sussex Young Carers  for more information and to see what help you can get.

Whole Family Budget

Sometimes, families need extra financial help.

The Whole Family Budget gives money once, or for a short time, to help:

  • adults who care for someone and also take care of children, especially if they have problems with their health or alcohol/drug use
  • families who have a disabled child and need extra help to look after all their children

To see if your family can get this help, contact the Whole Family Budget team. They can tell you how to apply.

Carer's card

The East Sussex Carers Card is available if you care for someone who lives in East Sussex.

The card provides discounts for carers at businesses across East Sussex.

The card shows you are a carer and someone relies on you in emergencies.

Apply for a Carer's card

Carers aged 16 and 17

If you are 16 or older and you help take care of someone who really needs you, you can find help on support for carers. 

It tells you how you can ask for a check to see what help you can get, and find out if you can get a carer’s personal budget.