The average age of a young carer is 12, but some are as young as five years old.
The 2001 census found 9,000 young carers who were spending between 20 and 50 hours a week performing caring tasks.
The combination of extra responsibilities and social isolation that young carers experience often leads to feelings of loneliness, anxiety and frustration. They may be afraid to ask for help, for fear of upsetting their family, or of being taken into care.
With little or no time for themselves young carers are often unable to attend after-school activities, go on school trips or socialise with their friends.
Because they are socially isolated, young carers are often bullied for being different. If a young carer feels they should be at home looking after someone; they may have difficulty concentrating at school or decide not to go to school at all preferring instead to stay at home with the person they care for.