Chapter 1: Introduction & Housekeeping (00:00 – 04:40)

Speaker: Jenny Scan, Project Manager at Go Higher West Yorkshire

• Warm welcome and session overview
• Introduction of guest speakers
• Purpose of the session, aligning with Care Day awareness
• Understanding Uni Connect’s role in supporting underrepresented learners
• Housekeeping notes: muting, Q&A via chat, session recording, and slide availability

Chapter 2: Understanding Care Experience (04:40 – 10:30)

Speaker: Tahera Mayat, Go Higher West Yorkshire

• Defining care-experienced learners vs. care leavers
• Challenges faced in higher education applications
• The need for a standardized definition across institutions
• Collaboration with UCAS and other stakeholders to drive consistency

Chapter 3: Why a Common Definition Matters (10:30 – 15:30)

• The importance of consistent terminology in higher education
• Engagement with universities, policymakers, and advocacy groups
• How a unified definition benefits both students and institutions
• Raising awareness through blogs, conferences, and training sessions

Chapter 4: Collaboration & Key Partnerships (15:30 – 31:30)

Speakers: Penny Gardner & Alex Hargreaves, Inspiring Choices

• Introduction to the Inspiring Choices initiative
• Partnerships with North Yorkshire and City of York Virtual Schools
• Key collaborations with universities and external organizations
• Impactful outreach programs for care-experienced learners

Chapter 5: Case Study – John Lewis Partnership (31:30 – 40:00)

• Partnership with John Lewis’ Building Happier Futures program
• Initial engagement, funding, and program development
• Direct impact: employment opportunities and internships for care-experienced learners
• Recognition in John Lewis’ national impact report

Chapter 6: Residential Programs & Adaptations (40:00 – 48:30)

• Overview of On Track and London Residentials
• Addressing travel barriers for students from rural areas
• Engagement with employers (Financial Ombudsman) and universities
• Expansion to Edinburgh with a focus on the travel & tourism sector

Chapter 7: Launching the Destinations Festival (48:30 – 54:30)

• Announcement of the Destinations Festival (April 2025)
• Hosted at York St. John University
• Participation from higher education partners across the UK
• Open to care-experienced learners, educators, and professionals

Chapter 8: Introducing the Care Experience Transition Pack (54:30 – 1:04:30)

Speaker: Tahera Mayat

• A new comprehensive support resource for care-experienced students
• Features: myth-busting, financial guidance, transition support
• Key sections: Higher Education roadmap, financial aid, well-being resources

Chapter 9: Care Leaver Covenant & Support Networks (1:04:30 – 1:16:30)

Speaker: Susan Darlington

• Overview of the national Care Leaver Covenant
• Support initiatives across 13 higher education institutions
• Monthly newsletters and CPD (Continuing Professional Development) opportunities for practitioners

Chapter 10: Resources & Closing Remarks (1:16:30 – 1:21:19)

• Recap of key resources:
  • Care Experience Transition Pack
  • Care Leaver Covenant
  • Educational podcast for care-experienced learners
• Emphasis on continued collaboration and long-term support
• Request for feedback via evaluation forms
• Closing remarks and appreciation for all attendees