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) provides sessions for young people aged 6 to 17 (varies by location) who have a sibling with a disability.

All Sibs sessions are free to attend and take place in our Youth Hubs.

Our sessions provide a safe space for young people to interact and socialise with others that are in similar positions at home. Activities can include:

  • arts and crafts
  • music and games
  • cooking and socialising

This service can only be accessed by siblings of disabled children who:

  • do not have their own moderate to severe Special Educational Needs (SEN)

  • are not on a pathway themselves, such as for Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)

  • do not attend a Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH) school or unit.

Join our sessions by signing up to the Sibling Service:

Join the Sibling Service

Contact us

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.