There are an estimated 30,000 carers under the age of 25 in Wales.

Amcangyfrifir bod 30,000 o ofalwyr o dan 25 oed yng Nghymru.

Young carers support, or help to support, someone who would not be able to stay at home without their help. These are usually family members such as parents or siblings.

Whilst young children may feel happy to help look after someone they love, it can have a negative impact on their health and well-being such as:

  • missing school or not having time to do their homework
  • not going to college or university because they feel they can’t leave home
  • not being able to invite friends to their house
  • not having enough time to enjoy social activities
  • being bullied at school
  • feeling lonely and cut off from other children and young individuals
  • not having time to enjoy being young.

Mae gofalwyr ifanc yn cefnogi, neu'n helpu i gefnogi, rhywun na fyddai'n gallu aros adref heb eu cymorth. Fel arfer mae'r rhain yn aelodau o'r teulu fel rhieni neu frodyr/chwiorydd.

Er gall plant ifanc fod yn ddigon hapus i helpu i ofalu am rywun maen nhw'n ei garu, gall gael effaith negyddol ar eu hiechyd a'u llesiant fel:

  • colli'r ysgol neu beidio â chael amser i wneud eu gwaith cartref
  • peidio â mynd i'r coleg neu brifysgol gan eu bod nhw'n teimlo nad yw'n bosibl iddyn nhw adael cartref
  • peidio â gallu gwahodd ffrindiau draw i'w cartref
  • peidio â chael digon o amser i fwynhau gweithgareddau cymdeithasol
  • cael eu bwlio yn yr ysgol
  • teimlo'n unig a heb gysylltiad â phlant ac unigolion ifanc eraill
  • peidio â chael amser i fwynhau bod yn ifanc.

Young carers need support from a variety of organisations and individuals in order to ensure that their own health and well-being are protected. These include:

  • friends and family
  • school
  • health services such as the GP and community nurses
  • social workers
  • young carers support groups.

Mae angen cymorth ar ofalwyr ifanc gan amrywiaeth o sefydliadau ac unigolion er mwyn sicrhau bod eu hiechyd a'u llesiant eu hunain yn cael eu hamddiffyn. Mae’r rhain yn cynnwys:

  • ffrindiau a theulu
  • ysgol
  • gwasanaethau iechyd fel y meddyg teulu a nyrsys cymunedol
  • gweithwyr cymdeithasol
  • grwpiau cymorth gofalwyr ifanc.

Study the data and answer the questions.

Astudiwch y data ac atebwch y cwestiynau.

Question 1

Cwestiwn 1

This data was taken from the 2017-18 service provision by local authority assessments.
Which local authorities put in place support plans for all young carers assessed?

Daw’r data o'r asesiadau o ddarpariaeth gwasanaethau awdurdodau lleol yn 2017–18.
Pa awdurdodau lleol wnaeth roi cynlluniau cymorth yn eu lle i'r holl ofalwyr ifanc a aseswyd?

Table showing number of assessments of need for support for young carers undertaken during 2017-18 and number leading to a support plan in Wales Table showing number of assessments of need for support for young carers undertaken during 2017-18 and number leading to a support plan in Wales
Source: Stats WalesFfynhonnell: StatsCymru

Suggested response: Anglesey, Gwynedd, Caerphilly and Carmarthenshire

Ymateb awgrymedig: Ynys Môn, Gwynedd, Caerffili a Sir Gaerfyrddin

Question 2

Cwestiwn 2

In a survey carried out by the office of the Children’s Commissioner for Wales, they found that young carers suffered a high level of stress. Why do you think a higher percentage of children felt really stressed at school than at home?

Mewn arolwg a gafodd ei gynnal gan swyddfa Comisiynydd Plant Cymru, gwelwyd bod gofalwyr ifanc yn dioddef lefel uchel o straen. Yn eich barn chi, pam roedd canran uwch o blant yn teimlo mwy o straen yn yr ysgol nag yn y cartref?

Stress and its affects on young carers Stress and its affects on young carers
Source: Children’s Commissioner for WalesFfynhonnell: Comisiynydd Plant Cymru

Suggested response: While a child is at school, he or she could feel anxious about the well-being of the individual they care for, especially if they have few people to rely on. They can also experience issues with teachers who either do not know they are a carer or do not understand the impact it has on every aspect of the child’s life.

Ymateb awgrymedig: Pan fydd plentyn yn yr ysgol, byddai'n gallu teimlo'n bryderus am lesiant yr unigolyn mae'n gofalu amdano, yn enwedig os nad oes ganddo lawer o bobl i ddibynnu arnyn nhw. Gall hefyd gael problemau gydag athrawon sydd un ai ddim yn gwybod ei fod yn ofalwr, neu sydd ddim yn deall effaith hyn ar bob agwedd ar fywyd y plentyn.

Question 3

Cwestiwn 3

Milford Haven Comprehensive School in Pembrokeshire carried out a survey to understand how many pupils in their school were young carers and the type of care they undertook. Study the data below. Which type of care is most common?

Cynhaliodd Ysgol Uwchradd Aberdaugleddau yn Sir Benfro arolwg i ganfod faint o ddisgyblion yn yr ysgol oedd yn ofalwyr ifanc a'r math o ofal roedden nhw'n ei roi. Astudiwch y data isod. Beth yw'r math mwyaf cyffredin o ofal?

Breakdown of caring roles and responsibilities Breakdown of caring roles and responsibilities
Young Carers in Schools Step-by-step Guide tools (Wales)Ffynhonnell: Gofalwyr Ifanc mewn Ysgolion Offer Canllaw Cam wrth Gam (Cymru)

Suggested response: The most common type is emotional care.

Ymateb awgrymedig: Y math mwyaf cyffredin yw gofal emosiynol.