See answers to previous information requests

I am writing to submit a request under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 for information held by Wokingham on its area’s young carers. Specifically, I request responses to the following questions:

1. How many requests for young carers needs assessments has the council received since 1 Jan 2021? Please provide a total number as well as a breakdown by age. If a breakdown by age cannot be provided, please provide a breakdown by age group.
Due to available reporting fields, data is only available from June 2023.
Since 1 Jan 2023 there have been 72 assessments involving young carers.
Age Unborn to 4 yrs: 6
Age 5-10: 36
Age 11-15: 25
Age 16+: 5

2. Does the council run a young carers registry and, if so, please provide the number of individuals actively registered on it, both as a total number as well as a breakdown by age. If a breakdown by age cannot be provided, please provide a breakdown by age group.
No, the council does not hold this

3. How much did the council spend, if anything, in the last fiscal year on support programs for young carers (i.e. unpaid carers 18 years of age or younger)?
£70,663 for 25/26 specifically to support young carers as part of wider commissioned carers support service.

4. Does the council have any specific supports in place for carers 8 years of age or younger? If so, what are they and how much money was spent on them in the last fiscal year?
Berkshire Youth provide support for young carers aged 8-18. Early help support is available to children under the age of 8, according to their circumstances and needs.

5. Does the council have an age range for how it defines young carers?
The council website defines a young carer as a child under the age of 18. It is acknowledged that 18-25 year olds may also have caring responsibilities; the council is currently reviewing its offer and approach to young carers.