The Student Room Group

Care leavers at uni

Ok so I’m a care leavers and I’m applying to uni as of September what sort of support have you received as a care leaver or what support do you know is available at your uni just so I can get a sorta idea of what support is available for care leavers.
Original post by HistoryCactus
Ok so I’m a care leavers and I’m applying to uni as of September what sort of support have you received as a care leaver or what support do you know is available at your uni just so I can get a sorta idea of what support is available for care leavers.

Hi there @HistoryCactus

I'm not sure about other universities, but Lancaster University has lots of support for care leavers, including help with your studies, support with accommodation and support settling into university. There is also financial support in terms of a bursary that you can access, as well as a potential lower or changed offer if you apply. If you are interested in Lancaster, here is a webpage that has all the information for care leavers: Care Leavers

I hope that helps. Please feel free to ask me any other questions :smile:
Ariana (Student Ambassador)
Original post by HistoryCactus
Ok so I’m a care leavers and I’m applying to uni as of September what sort of support have you received as a care leaver or what support do you know is available at your uni just so I can get a sorta idea of what support is available for care leavers.

Hi @HistoryCactus

Like others have said, it may be different for each university so I would check with the university you are attending. You can speak to the Finance Team to see what you may be entitled to as a care leaver or what other bursaries you may be eligible for!

Hope this helps!

Estelle :smile:
Graduate Advocate
Original post by HistoryCactus
Ok so I’m a care leavers and I’m applying to uni as of September what sort of support have you received as a care leaver or what support do you know is available at your uni just so I can get a sorta idea of what support is available for care leavers.

Hey @HistoryCactus how are you? 🤗

Great to hear you're applying to uni, what course are you wanting to study?

Like others have said below, each uni will be different, but I thought I'd share the support we offer here at Bradford just so you get another insight. So, we offer care experienced students a personalised package of support to help you have a full, enriching and enjoyable experience! So that's through one-to-one support throughout the application process, arranging individual visits to campus to see the facilities and meet academics and current students. We can also arrange meetings with current students who have previously been in care. Then when you're a student here, our student life advisors will be your point of contact throughout your time at uni, they'll be your central point of contact, supporting you with any questions or concerns you may experience, liaising with Student Finance and other funding bodies to help you apply for financial support, and signposting you to the wide range of student support teams available as and when you need them.

We also have a Progression Scheme which is designed to benefit undergraduate applicants whose personal and educational circumstances mean they could be less likely to receive an offer based on our standard entry criteria. We are committed to raising aspirations and widening access to Higher Education, ensuring high-quality education is available to all individuals who have the potential to succeed, regardless of background. 😊

Hope this helps! Have a great week.

Becky
Original post by HistoryCactus
Ok so I’m a care leavers and I’m applying to uni as of September what sort of support have you received as a care leaver or what support do you know is available at your uni just so I can get a sorta idea of what support is available for care leavers.

Every university is different, but here at the University of Sunderland we understand that as a care-experienced person, you may have additional questions and concerns so we have a dedicated We Care Team who can offer individual, bespoke support to any care-experienced person considering higher education. All contact with the team is kept confidential and your choices are respected at all times.
We can provide personalised support based on your individual needs. This could include the following:

Accompany you to university events such as Open Days, individual tours, Applicant Days, interviews, and your graduation ceremony

Liaise with local authority staff or your support workers. With your consent, we can speak to your Personal Advisor, support worker, or carers about the support we offer. We can even attend or contribute to your Personal Education Plan (PEP) meetings if you want us to

Meet with you at the start of each academic year whether you're new to the University or new to our support

Act as a central point of contact for you throughout your studies, supporting you with any issues or concerns you might have. You can meet with us one-to-one for a coffee and a chat, or contact us via phone or email. We can offer support 9am 5pm every day that the University is open

We offer support with the following:

Accommodation 52 weeks of the year if you arrange it in advance

Student finance and funding

Employment and part-time work

Academic queries such as taking time out of your course

Mental health and wellbeing

Accessing the We Care Bursary of £2,500 for each year of study

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