THERE is ‘nowhere near’ enough support for young carers in Oxfordshire, the head of a support charity has warned.

Managing director of Be Free Young Carers John Tabor has said the number of young carers across the county is soaring, with his own organisation seeing an increase of a third over the past year.

With Oxfordshire’s Young Carers Service also identifying 2,700 young carers since 2008, 450 of those in the past year alone, Mr Tabor has concerns about coping with the rising numbers.

Earlier this year, South and Vale Young Carers, which offers independent support and respite activities, rebranded itself Be Free Young Carers to cut its geographical ties in the face of increasing demand.

The organisation currently supports about 450 young carers up to the age of 25 - although the definition of a young carer is somebody under the age of 18 who helps look after a relative who has a disability, illness, mental health condition or drug or alcohol problem.

Mr Tabor, the organisation’s managing director, said: “We are experiencing heavy demand and we’re struggling to keep up with it. We come across families that are totally unknown and under the radar of schools, social services, and all agencies – and they’re really struggling.

“There is nowhere near enough support for young carers."

He said the surge in numbers could be down to schools becoming better equipped to identify young carers, and warned that the problem was likely to worsen over time.

Be Free Young Carers currently still supports young carers in South Oxfordshire and the Vale of White Horse, but hopes to extend into the city later this year and eventually become countywide.

Maia Jordan, 19, of West Hendred, became a carer for her mother, who suffers from mental health problems, at the age of 16.

She said: "It was difficult. A lot of my friends didn't know I was a young carer.

"I feel like there could have been more support, even just around awareness."

Oxfordshire County Council’s Young Carers Service works with schools, health services and the voluntary sector to identify and support young carers and their families across the county.

It carries out assessments for all young carers and ensures they receive appropriate support at school, respite services and extra-curricular activities.

Spokesman for the county council Owen Morton said: “The day-to-day commitments of being a young carer can make it very hard to keep on top of schoolwork or find time for activities outside of school.

“There could also be issues with school attendance linked to caring commitments, and it’s important that schools are aware of these extra pressures so they can provide the support young carers need.”

The council also runs an award scheme called the Young Carers Standard, which many schools in Oxfordshire have joined. It involves schools putting practical measures in place to address issues around caring so children can fulfil their potential.

TWO young siblings from West Oxfordshire who look after their mum have spoken about the importance of speaking out when in the role of a young carer.

Sophie and Ben Harris, 13 and 11, were thrust into their roles after their mum, Hannah, was diagnosed with a life-changing lung disease six years ago.

The pair appeared on This Morning earlier this year and were given the chance to meet their heroes - goalkeeper Siobhan Chamberlain and pop star Olly Murs - as a reward for their caring efforts.

Hannah Harris, 36, was diagnosed with with hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a lung disease that has left her with 70 per cent capacity in one lung and none in the other.

She said: “It was a really tough time. The kids were both really young at the time and for them to see their mum go from fine to in hospital most of the time was hard.

“It’s a struggle still but it has got better as they’ve grown older.”

When Sophie went to secondary school she was given advice about being a young carer and was keen to get involved right away.

Sophie said: "When my mum first became ill I didn’t realise what being a young carer was, but as I got older I realised the effect and how I would have to help out more."

Her brother Ben said the decision to become a young carer for his mum was easy.

He said: "I’m really happy to do it because she’s done so much for us."

As well as caring for their mum, the pair also encourage other young carers to speak out about their situations. Sophie became the media rep for charity Carers Trust.

She said: "I want all young carers to know it’s not something you should be scared to talk about.