Young carers are far more likely than their peers to spend extended periods not in education, employment or training (NEET), with over twice the risk of being in this position for two or more years. This highlights how caring responsibilities can disrupt the move from school into work or further study. The gap persists even when comparing young people from similar socioeconomic backgrounds, showing that caregiving itself plays a major role. The findings make clear that young carers are at serious risk of being left behind as they enter adulthood.
Becca Lacey et al. | Young carers – the forgotten young people in the NEET conversation |The Nuffield Foundation, 2026