Abstract

Background Despite increasing awareness of young carers in recent years, there remains a significant gap in our understanding of both the prevalence and the characteristics of young carers. Our study aims to address this gap by examining the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the prevalence and characteristics of young carers. Methods This research utilised data from three UK longitudinal surveys: the UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS), the COVID Social Mobility and Opportunities (COSMO) study, and the Millennium Cohort Study (MCS). We focused on adolescents aged 16–18, and examined two pre-COVID (UKHLS and MCS) and two post-COVID (UKHLS and COSMO) samples. Results The prevalence of young carers increased from 8.0 % pre-COVID to 9.8–11.9 % since COVID. Young carers were more commonly found in single-parent and socioeconomically disadvantaged households, with a higher prevalence of young carers in homes where parents were out of paid employment or held lower educational qualifications. Young carers were also more likely to reside in deprived areas. Most young carers engaged in low-intensity caring (< 10 h/week), but post-COVID there was an increase in high-intensity caring (10 + hours/week), predominantly assumed by young female carers. The primary recipients of care were parents, followed by grandparents and siblings, with no change in the care recipient type since COVID. Conclusion This study showed an increase in the prevalence of young carers, particularly those providing high-intensity care, since the onset of the COVID pandemic. Further, young carers were more likely to come from socioeconomically disadvantaged households and areas. Given the potential impacts that young caring can have on young peoples’ lives, it is imperative that support for young carers is increased, particularly for those facing multiple disadvantages. In tandem, services that support adult health and social care need to play a key role in identifying young carers.