Children and young people in families affected by alcohol or other drug use

Investigators 

Dr Debbie Noble-Carr, Associate Professor Tim Moore, Emeritus Professor Morag McArthur (Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University)

Funding

ACT Department of Disability, Housing, and Community Services

Aims

• Understand the experiences and needs of young people who care for family members affected by alcohol or other drug (AOD) issues.
• Identify the impacts of these caregiving roles on young people’s health, wellbeing, education, and social inclusion.
• Inform policies and practices to support young carers in AOD-affected families.

Background

Children and young people who care for family members with AOD issues are often vulnerable and hidden within mainstream support systems. Their complex roles and associated challenges are frequently overlooked in policy and practice, leaving them without adequate support or acknowledgment.

The study aimed to bring visibility to these young carers, understanding their unique challenges and providing insights for developing more inclusive, responsive services.

Project details

The project was conducted in 2008 within the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). The research team at the Institute of Child Protection Studies worked closely with Anglicare Canberra-Goulburn who helped recruit young people and facilitated the stakeholder’s reference group. Members of the Advisory Group - ACT Health, CYCLOPS, Directions ACT, Ted Noffs Foundation, ADFACT, and the Youth Coalition of the ACT – were also involved in the development of the research.

Young people who were caring for a parent with an AOD issue (or had been in a caring role for a parent) were asked to reflect on their current or past experiences and how their caring role for a family member who had an AOD issue impacts their lives.

Method

• Qualitative approach using in-depth interviews with 15 young people aged 11-17.
• A young people's reference group guided the research design and data interpretation, ensuring ethical and effective engagement.

Findings

• Young carers often faced educational barriers, financial hardship, and mental health challenges due to their caregiving roles.
• Many young people expressed a need for trusted adult support, peer connections, respite options, and assistance with housing and family counselling.
• Recommendations called for service awareness and family-centered approaches to improve support for young carers in AOD-affected families.

Publications 

Moore, T., McArthur, M., & Noble-Carr, D. (2011). Different but the same? Exploring the experiences of young people caring for a parent with an alcohol or other drug issue. Journal of Youth Studies, 14(2), 161-177. 

Noble-Carr, D., Moore, T., & McArthur, M. (2008). Who Cares? Experiences of young people living with a family member who has an alcohol or other drug issue. Canberra: Institute of Child Protection Studies, ACU. 

Project timeline

Completed 2008

Contact

For more information contact: icps@acu.edu.au