Siblings as Young Carers
Siblings often share the most profound bonds in a family, built on years of shared memories, inside jokes, and growing pains. However, for some, this relationship takes on a different meaning as they are thrust into the role of a young carer.
A “young carer” is someone under the age of 25 who provides care for a family member, often a sibling, parent, or other relative, who is living with disability, a long-term medical condition, mental illness, alcohol or drug dependency or someone who is frail due to age. While the notion of caregiving is often associated with adults, the responsibility placed on young shoulders can be overwhelming, especially when the young carer is trying to navigate their own childhood, school, and social life. For siblings, the responsibility of caring for a brother or sister can bring unique challenges and emotional complexity.
The Weight of Responsibility
When a sibling becomes a young carer, the responsibility can feel like a heavy burden. Instead of spending afternoons playing games, sharing stories, and enjoying typical childhood experiences, they may find themselves attending medical appointments, multiple hospital visits, assisting with daily tasks such as bathing, dressing, or feeding their sibling. In some cases, the sibling may need emotional support through challenging conditions such as mental health issues or the effects of a serious illness or disability. This shift in family dynamics can leave the young carer feeling overwhelmed and isolated.
Siblings often do not have the same emotional or physical support systems that a parent would typically have in place. With the primary carer struggling with their own limitations, the sibling may step into the role out of love and necessity, but without the training or resources to know how to cope with the caring role. Their schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and social life may diminish as they prioritise the needs of their sibling. While they may feel deeply connected to their sibling, they may also feel trapped, exhausted, and unsure of how to balance these two worlds.
The Emotional Toll
The emotional impact of being a young carer is significant. Young carers often experience feelings of guilt, anxiety, and sadness. They may feel torn between wanting to enjoy their childhood and their sense of duty to care for their sibling. At times, the emotional strain can also affect their sense of self-worth and personal identity.
Siblings may also struggle with resentment. It is natural to want to spend time with their friends, focus on school, and enjoy typical milestones like birthday parties or vacations. But the constant caregiving duties can mean these experiences are missed or impacted on. The sibling receiving care may also feel guilt or frustration, not wanting to burden their brother or sister, but are unable to help themselves. The sibling dynamic can evolve into one of care and caregiving rather than shared brother/sister experiences.
The Role of Support
While the challenges faced by each young carer are different, the need for support is imperative. Many young carers feel invisible and unsupported, but there are resources and programs available to help.
Programs such as Carer Gateway are designed specifically for carers including those young carers under the age of 25 years. Carer Gateway provides support services and social networks where they connect with other young people who understand their situation.
Carer Gateway is an Australian Federal Government funded program that provides in person, online and over the phone services to support carers.
Supports such as:
• Coaching – where the person can learn new ways to manage stress and improve their wellbeing through self-guided coaching online courses at their own pace or in-person coaching with a coach in their local area.
• Counselling – if they are feeling stressed, sad or angry as a result of the caring role, a counsellor can talk through their situation and help. They can speak one-on-one or in a group with a counsellor in their local area or over the phone.
• Peer Support Workshops – where they can connect with other carers who are their own age and are in similar situations. Have the chance to meet people who also care for a family member or friend, share stories, knowledge, and experiences to learn from and provide support to each other.
• Online skills courses – Find out about new ways to deal with stress and legal matters, improve health and safety and learn new skills to look after someone as well as themselves. Each course covers a different topic and can be completed online at their own pace.
• Tailored support package – supports and services tailored to help the young person in their caring role. They may be eligible to receive services or equipment to help with them continued education (for example, tutoring, educational supplies or training courses), planned respite, where a service provider steps in to take care of their family member or friend while they take a break, cooking and cleaning services, assistance with shopping, transport to help them attend medical appointments or do shopping.
• Emergency respite – If the carer gets sick or hurt unexpectedly and can’t continue look after the person they care for, emergency respite services can help to take care of them while the carer recovers.
This program can be a lifeline in reducing the sense of isolation often felt by young carers, while also providing practical tools to help them balance caregiving with their own needs.
How to register a sibling for Carer Gateway
By calling 1800 422 737 Monday–Friday 8am–5pm local time, you can talk to the Carer Gateway service provider in your area. They will talk to you about your situation and help you access services that are specific to your needs. You can access online services and more information on the Carer Gateway.
Drinking enough and eating healthy: Make sure you drink plenty of fluids, especially water. It’s easy to ignore signs of thirst and hunger.
Rest and sleep: Inadequate sleep and lack of adequate rest can add to the pressures of caring. Aim to get 6-8 hours of sleep to refresh and rejuvenate. Top it up with naps during the day if possible.
Take a break: A break, even just for a few hours, can make a world of difference and help sustain your functions as a carer. Contact the 
Connect with other carers: Sometimes just talking to someone can ease your mind. Connecting with other carers can be less isolating. Carers often connect in hospital waiting rooms and during check-ups at the clinic.
Get familiar with medications, doses and their storage
Caring might mean facing financial burdens and a loss of independence if you have had to give up paid work. Additionally, returning to work after the responsibilities of care have reduced can be challenging.
