No service has the scope to resolve all the issues that impact on a young carers life. It is important, then, for services to work collaboratively and provide creative responses to support young carers and their families.

In 1997, a number of services in the ACT came together to form the ACT Young Carers Network which aims to (a) increase the awareness of young carers in the community; (b) work together to provide a range of supports to young carers and their families; and (c) identify service gaps and lobby for resolution.

In 2002 we've grown in size to include youth, health, disability, drug and alcohol, respite, mental health and government services. Though we acknowledge the support of the ACT government in funding a number of local initiatives we believe that there is still much to be done to raise awareness and levels of support for this hidden group of young people at risk.