Protecting young carers: legislative tensions and opportunities in Britain

Recent research suggests that there are a large number of children providing care in the community. These children have been ignored in the policy-making process and no specific legislation has been enacted to protect them. This paper traces the emergence of young caring onto the social policy agenda and suggests ways in which current legislation can be interpreted and adapted to protect them, both as children and as carers. The existence of legislative tensions and contradictions is also discussed, as mechanisms through which many young carers may continue to be neglected. In the absence of specec legislation and codes of practice, those working with young carers must seize the available opportunities to ensure the recognition and protection of young carers in Britain.