A number of authors (for example, Göpfert et al, 1996; Falkov, 1997) have drawn attention to the lack of research, information, and knowledge about the specific experiences and needs of children caring for parents with severe and enduring mental health problems. While there is an established medical literature on the impacts of parental mental illness on children within families, there is very little medical or social research that has focused on children caring for parents in these situations. Chapter One reviews the relevant and available literature, that is, medical and social research, and child protection and contemporary young carers’ studies.

This volume is the first in-depth research study of children caring for parents with severe and enduring mental illness. Data were collected from 40 families and interviews were conducted with parents, their children who cared for them and the key professionals in contact with these families. A full discussion of the methodology involved in this study can be found in Appendix A.

The chapters that follow present the accounts and experiences of each of these three respondent groups. Chapter Two presents the parents’ perspective; the perspectives of children are presented in Chapter Three. Chapter Four looks at the role of professionals and their relationships and interventions with parents and young carers. We contend that, to understand why and how children care for parents with mental illness, we must understand what goes on within families by reference to the perspectives of those who provide and receive family care, as well as those professionals who are charged with the formal care and support of vulnerable parents and children. This is the first ever study to give this three-way perspective. The study also benefits from a dynamic element, which was achieved by a two-phase interview approach, whereby families and professionals were interviewed and then re-interviewed ten months later. This allows us to present throughout the book data on the changing needs and experiences of families and the implications of these for policy and practice.