Young carers and family life: a West Midlands perspective

Social Work Academy

With speakers Chloe Alexander and Gina Ward

This Masterclass will ask us to think about young carers in their neighbourhood and their region.  Chloe Alexander will present new research on young carers in the West Midlands and this will be accompanied by a presentation from Gina Ward, the Young Carers Service Manager at Solihull Carers Trust.  This will lead into a discussion about how local support services can work with the diversity and distinctiveness of young carers and their families. With lessons for individuals and organisations interested in young carers, disability and support services for parents and families, the session will explore ways of understanding young carers as a diverse group whose experiences are shaped by what happens locally, as well as nationally. 

Chloe Alexander is a PhD student in the Department of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology at the University of Birmingham. For her PhD she has done research on young carers and family life in the West Midlands. She previously worked at Carers Trust, developing campaigns to improve support for young carers and young adult carers.

Gina Ward is Manager of Solihull Young Carers Service at Solihull Carers Trust and has worked with carers of all ages for fifteen years. Her team supports young carers and young adult carers with information and advice, training, respite and family support and carries out parent carer assessments. She is a registered Social Worker, a Child Safeguarding lead and sits on the Local Safeguarding Children’s Board.