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Listening Together:

Do young people with disability and young carers feel heard?

Published Date: 1.1.2026

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Theme: Specific groups of carers

Sub-theme: Young carers

Young carers Report positive caring Listening

Verification Statement

This publication / resource is hosted on a publicly available external link. If the full text is not publicly accessible, summary points are included and a contact method for the author(s) is provided, where available.

The summary information presented is based on content submitted by an author or other user
, along with publicly available information about the publication / resource added by the Carer Knowledge Exchange team.

All content is reviewed, edited and approved by the Carer Knowledge Exchange team, in line with our Submission Guidelines.


To report an issue or request a change, please complete our Feedback Form.

 

Theme: Specific groups of carers

Sub-theme: Young carers

View Publication Young carers Report positive caring Listening

Verification Statement

This publication / resource is hosted on a publicly available external link. If the full text is not publicly accessible, summary points are included and a contact method for the author(s) is provided, where available.

The summary information presented is based on content submitted by an author or other user
, along with publicly available information about the publication / resource added by the Carer Knowledge Exchange team.

All content is reviewed, edited and approved by the Carer Knowledge Exchange team, in line with our Submission Guidelines.


To report an issue or request a change, please complete our Feedback Form.

 

Listening Together:

Do young people with disability and young carers feel heard?

Published Date: 1.1.2026

  • Author/ Authors

    Laura Davy, Molly Saunders, Talon Cass-Dunbar, Simone Bartram, Megumi Kawada, Luci McClusky

  • Suggested citation (APA 7th edition)

    Davy, L., Saunders, M., Cass-Dunbar, T., Bartram, S., Kawada, M., & McClusky, L. (2026). Listening Together: Do young people with disability and young carers feel heard? The Australian National University. https://doi.org/10.25911/wtr7-aw80

Long Summary

The report Listening Together explores whether young people with disability and young carers feel heard by others. Conducted by six researchers (including young people with lived experience), it used two online surveys completed by 72 participants. Findings show that good listening, marked by respect, understanding, and caring helps young people feel connected and supported, but listening looks different for everyone. Poor listening can cause emotional harm and hinder support. The report offers practical recommendations for organisations (e.g., training staff, creating safe feedback channels) and individuals (e.g., believing lived experiences, allowing time and space to speak) to improve listening practices.

    Key Messages for Carers


  • The report underscores that young carers and young people with disability feel valued and supported when they are genuinely listened to. It emphasises that carer voices matter and deserves to be heard. Being listened to with respect, care and understanding helps you feel valued, supported and connected and make it easier to manage the challenges of caring responsibilities. The report encourages carers to speak up about experiences, needs and seek out trusted adults or services that genuinely listen. Carers have the right to be included in decisions that affect their lives and their perspectives are essential in shaping better support and services.

  • Key Messages for Policy Makers


  • The Listening Together report highlights that young people with disability and young carers often feel unheard, which can affect their wellbeing, participation, and access to support. Policymakers should prioritise embedding meaningful, respectful and flexible listening practices within services and policies. This includes training staff, co-designing programs with young people and ensuring feedback mechanisms are accessible. Effective listening strengthens trust, improves service relevance, and ensures policies respond to the actual needs of young people, fostering inclusion, empowerment and better outcomes for this often-overlooked population.

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The Carer Knowledge Exchange is led by Carers NSW and proudly funded by the NSW Government. It was established as a partnership between Carers NSW and the Institute for Public Policy and Governance (IPPG) at the University of Technology Sydney from 2021-2024. We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as the First Australians and Traditional Custodians of the lands where we live, learn and work.