Safety in data: Building data infrastructure that keeps Young Carers seen and safe

This work is part of our Early Inclusion Collective (EIC) – a partnership or community of practice that brings together organisations looking to create safer, more inclusive systems for children and young people through widespread systemic change.

Young Carers are often overlooked, despite facing significantly worse outcomes than their peers across education, health, and safety. 

Young Carers’ needs often go unnoticed, either because they fear unsafe involvement from the state, or because their caring responsibilities are overshadowed by more urgent concerns such as exploitation or exclusion from school. 

This lack of visibility leads to unmet support needs, and further exacerbates the challenges they face.

Our report outlines how data-driven solutions can improve the identification and support of Young Carers, whilst maintaining a strong focus on safety and ethics. 

By transforming the systems that surround Young Carers, we can ensure they are properly seen and supported — without unintentionally causing harm, particularly for those from marginalised backgrounds who are at greater risk of discrimination and overreach by statutory services

1. Data is accurate, relevant and ethically collected.
2. Data is used responsibly to inform decisions without causing harm. 
3. Collaboration is promoted in a way that safeguards trust and security.

Within this report we offer a number of recommendations to improve data infrastructure at a local level. On a national level, we would encourage three key actions: 

1. Investment in a national audit of datasets relating to Young Carers. 
2. The development of a more ambitious and nuanced understanding of Young Carer identities through improved utilisation of existing datasets.
3. A new, public conversation on what ​‘safety in data’ means, starting with Young Carers. 

We believe all three of these will contribute in the long-term to making Young Carers feel safe to be seen.