‘The 2021 cross-national and comparative classification of in-country awareness and policy responses to ‘young carers’‘

Author(s): Leu, Agnes; Berger, Fabian; Marc Pascal; Heino, Malla; Nap, Henk Herman; Untas, Aurélie; Boccaletti, Licia; Lewis, Feylyn; Phelps, Daniel; Santini, Sara; D’Amen, Barbara; Socci, Marco; Hlebec, Valentina; Rakar, Tatjana; Magnusson, Lennart; Hanson, Elizabeth; Becker, Saul
Publisher: Journal of Youth Studies
Year Published: 2022
Resource type: Peer Reviewed Research Article

Summary:

The article explores the different existing legislations, policies, and service frameworks to support young carers across a number of countries. The study analyzes: published research or grey literature from 2017 onwards; presentations from researchers in Europe and the U.S who attended the Young Carers Conference in Switzerland in 2019 and 2021; researchers and experts from the Young Carers Conferences in Switzerland were asked to provide updated information on the situation of young carers in their home countries; and data on legislation, policy, practice, and support were collected from the European research project ‘Me-We.’ The study categorizes each country from levels one to seven: one meaning extensive awareness and sustainable policies, intervention, and responses, and seven meaning no response, awareness, or policies distinct to young carers. Findings demonstrated: there were no countries placed at level one; the United Kingdom was placed into level two (advanced); Sweden was placed into level three (intermediate); Austria, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, and Switzerland were allocated to level four (preliminary); Finland, France, and the United States were slotted into level five (emerging); Slovenia and New Zealand were placed in level six (awakening); and all other countries fell into level seven (no responses).

Citation: Leu, A., Berger, F. M. P., Heino, M., Nap, H. H., Untas, A., Boccaletti, L., Lewis, F., Phelps, D., Santini, S., D’Amen, B., Socci, M., Hlebec, V., Rakar, T., Magnusson, L., Hanson, E., & Becker, S. (2022). The 2021 cross-national and comparative classification of in-country awareness and policy responses to “young carers.” Journal of Youth Studies, 1–18. https://doi.org/10.1080/13676261.2022.2027899

Keywords: Young carers; classification; cross-national comparison; in-country awareness; policy responses

Where the data was collected: Cross National