A GROUP of young Wirral carers has produced a special DVD highlighting the support needed and barriers faced by many in their situation.

The DVD was produced by people who attend 'Action With Young Carers Wirral,' a Wallasey-based support and advice service run by Barnardo’s and commissioned by Wirral Council, was premiered as part of National Carers Week.

Because of the often 'hidden' nature of the problem, there are no exact figures for the number of young carers on Wirral, but a BBC survey recently estimated that up to 10 per cent of children of secondary and sixth form age could be helping to look after a parent or relative.

The Action With Young Carers’ service operates from the council's Solar Campus in Wallasey. It has a 'whole family' approach to supporting young carers, and the 'No Wrong Doors' concept behind the DVD echoes the ethos of the service, which is that a clear pathway of help and support is identified for young carers.

Once identified, Barnardo’s work with the whole family to ensure that the child or children engage with educational services to reduce the risk of social exclusion or underachieving, and that the family receives practical support.

The charity's children's service manager, Steve Corcoran, said: "Barnardo's are proud to work in partnership with Wirral Council, and value the commitment they have made through us, to ensure that young carers get the help and support they require to enable them to have a childhood, just like any other child.

"This DVD is an excellent example of one of the ways we are enabling young carers to get their voices heard."

It was shown during an event for young carers and their families at Wirral Education Centre in Bebington.

The event launched Carers Week 2014, which runs all this week.