Experts warn that young carers are doing too much

Research from the Princess Royal Trust for Carers has found that about 115,000 children in Scotland look after an adult.

The figure is five times higher than previously thought.

Former SNP leader John Swinney has been highlighting at Holyrood the need for extra help for young carers.

He said the rising number of youngsters looking after adults means there is an urgency to ensure effective services are in place to help them.

"Projects get started but the funding is often only for a temporary period," he said.

"The funding comes to an end and projects are plunged into uncertainty."

Experts estimate that up to 14% of seven to 19-year-olds in Scotland look after someone with an illness, disability or health problem.

It's been ages since me and my mum went swimming together. It's just me and my brother now and some of my friends. Christopher, Young carer

The trust said teachers can be unaware of young carers because children whose parents have drink and drug problems remain silent about their plight for fear of being taken into care.

They are often having to do homework between supporting disabled parents and preparing dinner.

Ministers insist cash for all carers in Scotland has increased dramatically, stressing that in just four years it has gone from �5m to �21m.

They add that they are working with carers' organisations and local authorities to develop measures for monitoring benefits to those youngsters who look after an adult.

Ministers have set up the Carers Strategy which is designed to create a more coherent joined up approach to deal with problems.

Nationalist MSP John Swinney is fighting for youngsters who look after adults

But they have acknowledged that more could be done to co-ordinate services on offer.

Deputy Health Minister Rhona Brankin told Holyrood that new Additional Support for Learning legislation would help provide support for youngsters who required help for any reason.

She said: "I will be meeting the deputy minister for education at an early date to discuss how the needs of young carers are going to be taken into account under the act, and how schools can be involved in identifying young carers and making them aware that support is available."

But Rob Warren, the Director of Edinburgh Young Carers Project, said: "The bulk of the executive's funding has gone towards supporting adult carers.

"There is very little resource that has gone in for young carers. It's heartbreaking."

He added: "The consequences on them can last way into adult life. Young carers are twice as likely to be referred for hospital care.

"In a piece of research that Edinburgh University carried out, 45% of young carers surveyed actually were being referred to mental health services because of the burden of care on them."

Mr Warren said a large number of young carers self harm, contemplate suicide and suffer deprivation.

There are estimated to be 115,000 young carers in Scotland

"Over a quarter of the young carers we work with live in the lowest deprivation rating in Scotland."

Christopher and his brother look after their severely disabled mother, Angela.

He said: "It's been ages since me and my mum went swimming together. It's just me and my brother now and some of my friends.

"I get my mum's tablets out if she's forgotten about them if she's muddled up. And she might get stuck on the chair or something and me and Andrew help her up."

"My friends probably don't even know."

Angela, who said her boys do the work of several adults, fears their childhood is slipping away.

"They are doing a full-time job. It's cheaper for the government if my children do the work and that's not right, " she said.