Helping care-experienced students to make HE decisions
A prompt on one of the UCAS Fair Access Mission Cards asks: Are there any outreach activities or programmes I could participate in – either specifically for care-experienced students or otherwise? How can students find more information?
These questions are especially relevant as we approach Care Day (20 February), which is an annual celebration that shines a light on the voices and experiences of children and young people in care. Care Day is about recognition, solidarity, and listening. But it’s also a great reminder for professionals and institutions to think about how we support care-experienced young people and make sure they know about the opportunities available to them.
Many Higher Education (HE) providers run programmes specifically for care-experienced students, as well as broader widening participation activities that can be hugely helpful. These can include campus visits, mentoring, summer schools, information sessions, and support with applications. The key is making these opportunities visible, accessible, and tailored so that young people feel confident to take part.
One of Go Higher West Yorkshire’s (GHWY) flagship programmes is Care to Go Higher, a CPD-accredited course for teachers, carers, and professionals who support care-experienced students. It equips adults with the knowledge and tools to guide young people through their options, from understanding university applications to exploring funding and student support. On the student side, we offer online guides, advice, and activities to help care-experienced learners feel prepared and informed as they consider higher education.
Our website is a great starting point for students and their supporters find out more, bringing together resources, guidance, and links to the support available at local HE providers. Sharing this information on Care Day, or any day, can make a real difference in helping young people feel that higher education is not only possible, but something they can achieve with the right support.
Care Day is also a chance to reflect on the fact that care-experienced young people often have to make big decisions without the same family networks as their peers. Outreach activities, whether university programmes or partnership initiatives like GHWY, help bridge that gap.
As professionals, carers, and mentors, we can all play a role by encouraging participation, sharing opportunities, and being a supportive, reliable presence. In short, supporting care-experienced young people isn’t just about access. It’s about guidance, reassurance, and creating a sense of belonging. Care Day reminds us of that, and gives us a chance to turn awareness into action.
Rob Scott, GHWY Training Delivery Officer
