Councillors have backed a push to help young carers enter college and university after 'the stars aligned' at a recent South Ayrshire carers' event.
SNP councillor Julie Dettbarn brought a motion to the council which will see chief executive Eileen Howat write to the first minister to ask the Scottish Government to consider extending the enhanced bursary to young carers to 'ensure they benefit from equal access to further education and are recognised for, and not disadvantaged by, their significant contribution in providing care and support to their loved ones'.
Councillor Dettbarn told colleagues how the motion came about after the premiere of "The Weekend" - an awareness raising film created by South Ayrshire Young Carers.
The screening was held at Ayr County Buildings in May and tells the story of three young carers and how their caring roles impact them in different ways over the space of a single weekend.
Cllr Dettbarn said: "Sometimes the stars align and the right person just appears at the right time. to start to make a difference and so it was when South Ayrshire young carers screening of brilliantly insightful film "The Weekend" was held at county hall last month."
She explained how Elena Whitham, the MSP for Carrick,. Cumnock and Doon Valley and the Minister for Drug and Alcohol Policy, asked the young carers what the Scottish Government could do to support them.
One responded that the extension of the current bursary of £8,100 per year provided to care experienced young people could also be a massive boost to young carers.
Councillor Dettbarn explained that young carers faced many of the same barriers to further and higher education that care experienced young people do.
She said: "Those with significant caring responsibilities may be further disadvantage by not being able to work to support their studies. They may claim carers allowance of around £76 per week if they meet all of the following criteria.
"They have to look after someone at least 35 hours per week, they can't earn more than £139 per week. The person they are caring for needs to receive disability benefit.
"But they can't be in full time education."
"A survey of school pupils in nearby local authority before covid showed almost 1 in 8 pupils provided some level of care for a family member.
"A third said no-one knew about their caring responsibilities. Stop for a moment and let the implications of that sink in.
"They are much more likely to have poorer physical and mental health outcomes, especially those caring for family member with mental health and addiction and are much less likely to see themselves ever entering further or higher education.
"This has a lifelong impact."
Independent councillor Hugh Hunter seconded the motion.
He said: "We should be treating young carers as though we had corporate parenting responsibility.
"Previous administration made great strides [in improving support for cared for young people] and I commend them for it.
"The difference between care for young people 24 years ago when I was first elected and how we care for them now is beyond recognition.
"The challenge for the present administration is to continue that improvement but also include young carers in that improvement journey.
Conservative councillor Ian Davis, added: "As a former carer for a relative I support this motion. I know from going to university that there are a number of barriers impacting young carers, despite attempts to support them.
"We know that the extension to bursary would help those who cannot afford the cost they would incur, simply because they cannot work due to caring commitments."
The motion was agreed.
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