Parent carers

What is a parent carer?

Parent carers provide care to a child or young person who has additional needs, and who the carer has parental responsibility for. This includes grown up children, who couldn't manage without their help. The child or young person may be ill, disabled, have mental health or substance misuse problems

The National Network of Parent Carer Forums championed the use of the term ‘parent carer’ in recognition of the additional responsibilities and roles parent carers take on, over and above the role of being a parent, when supporting a child with additional needs. This additional responsibility, combined with the sense of loss and concerns about the vulnerability of their children, can have a significant impact on parent carers physical and mental health.