Care Leaver Covenant

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Care Leaver Covenant 2024-25

Go Higher West Yorkshire’s (GHWY) collaborative Care Leaver Covenant has been updated for 2024-25. The e-resource, which was originally launched in 2017, demonstrates the ongoing commitment to care-experienced people shown by our 13 Higher Education (HE) members. Updated annually, it brings together the support, information, and top tips offered by our members in a single, easy to navigate document.
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Care Leaver Covenant 2024-25

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Support provided by our Higher Education Providers

Bradford College

Getting to higher education

Our care leaver page explains our offer of bespoke campus visits, provides an introduction to teaching staff and guidance and support with application submission.

There is information on bursary schemes and year round accommodation and support services such as counselling.

URL https://www.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/care-leavers

Application support

1-1 guidance to complete application – The Student Welfare Advisor at Bradford College will provide support through number of methods including face to face meetings, via email and telephone in order to assist the student with the application process.

Support with eligibility queries – Support with eligibility queries available, for example, academic entry requirements, advanced prior learning, criminal record.

URL https://www.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/student-services/enrolments/queries

Consideration of contextual information

Contextual information can be reviewed on a case by case basis. Bradford College recognise Care Leavers and Children Looked After as individuals that may require additional support in accessing specific course provision. In these cases the Student Welfare Advisor will advocate on their behalf and liaise directly with the relevant department(s) in order for the applicant to be accepted on to the most appropriate course.

Succeeding in higher education

1-1 staff support – Students are offered bespoke 1-1 support from the student welfare advisor.

Mental health support – Students are offered support with their mental health support, including access to a counselling service.

URL https://www.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/student-services/student-support/student-guidance

Named contact for care leaver students

At Bradford College, the same named contact is available to both FE and HE students at Bradford College, which enables smoother internal transition from FE to HE. For external progression into HE the Named Contact will draw on their links through NorthCLASS (Northern England Care Leaver Activities & Student Support) network in order for students to be aware of the named contact at their next institution.

Pre-entry contact – Name: Rachel Bradbury (Wellbeing Officer)

Email: r.bradbury@bradfordcollege.ac.uk

Post-entry contact – Name: Rachel Bradbury (Wellbeing Officer)

Email: r.bradbury@bradfordcollege.ac.uk

Year round accommodation

Bradford College offers accommodation through UNIPOL and has an arrangement that allows Care Leavers to access this for the full calendar year. Emergency accommodation is also available.

URL https://www.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/student-services/accommodation

Care leavers and estranged students are also eligible for a £6,000 accommodation grant per academic year.

Additional financial support

Bursary – At Bradford College, children looked after and care leavers in Further Education aged 16 – 18 would usually qualify for the premium bursary of £1200 for the academic year. Higher Education students receive a bursary of £1500 for the academic year. The Student Welfare Advisor will regularly negotiate with the Student Finance Teams in order to provide additional financial support if and when required.

Budgeting support – Support with budgeting can be accessed through the Student Welfare Advisor.

Free/discounted goods – Free goods are available in the form of notebooks, stationary (and art materials if required).

URL https://www.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/study/university-centre/study-money

Training to help staff understand care leavers

Face to face training – and communication with departments who hold high numbers of care experienced students e.g. ESOL and Access to FE.

Conferences/events – Bradford College is committed to raising awareness of Children Looked After and Care Leavers and we do so by organising numerous events throughout the year in partnership with the Care Leavers Association, the Local Authority and the University of Bradford.

Succeeding after higher education

Employment support

Bespoke graduate opportunities – The Named Contact shares any opportunities that are available for Care Leavers such as those offered by the Learning and Work Institute.

Bespoke employability support – Bradford College offers an impartial careers guidance service for all students and the general public. The Named Contact will refer all students to this service if and when needed.

URL https://www.bradfordcollege.ac.uk/student-services/student-support/careers-advice

University of Bradford

Getting to higher education

Dedicated care leaver webpage

Our dedicated web page details the support you can expect from University of Bradford before you arrive and while you are studying with us. It includes information about our progression scheme and who to contact.

URL: www.bradford.ac.uk/undergraduate/widening-participation/care-leavers

Experiences on campus

Campus Tours – Care leavers can receive one-to-one visits to the University with our Care Leavers Adviser, who will offer mentoring, personal guidance, campus tours, arrange meetings with academics, University Student Finance advisors and accommodation viewings.

Application support

1-1 guidance to complete application – Care leavers can access 1-1 guidance to complete their application.

Please contact Chelsea Redshaw for more information C.Redshaw@bradford.ac.uk

Support with eligibility queries – Our named contact for care leavers can support with any pre-arrival queries, including eligibility queries. We automatically identify eligibility for The University of Bradford Progression Scheme.

Contextual admissions

Consideration of contextual information – Applicants who are Care Leavers or previously looked after will receive up to 16 UCAS points deduction than our standard entry criteria. Eligible applicants will automatically be identified through information provided on the UCAS application form.

Activity/programme to boost UCAS score – Care leavers are eligible for the University Progression Scheme. By attending specific events you automatically receive eight UCAS points towards a course offer from University of Bradford. Care leavers can receive these additional UCAS points by attending one University Open Day (virtual or physical) plus one Progression Scheme Workshop (webinar or on campus).

Find out more: www.bradford.ac.uk/applicants/progression-scheme

Succeeding in higher education

NNECL Quality mark

As members of the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL) we continue to champion opportunities for care experienced students and improve access to, success in, and progression from higher education.

Wellbeing support

1-1 staff support – 1-1 staff support is available from the post-entry named care leaver contact. There is also a team of staff champions across all student services and faculties who can provide 1:1 support for care experienced students.

Mental health support – Our Counselling Service recognise that as care experienced students you may have additional pressures and challenges to face, and it offers someone for you to talk to confidentially about emotional and mental wellbeing issues, if you need it.

Care leaver network/activity – Peer Mentors will run a ‘Care Experienced Student Forum’ at least once of year, which will be open to all care experienced students regardless of whether they have engaged in the Peer Mentor Scheme.

Peer mentoring – New students with experience of the care system will have the opportunity to receive one-to-one support from a Peer Mentor who will be a student already studying here or a recent graduate. Peer Mentors can help to support you to adjust to university life and study and to build learner independence and self-confidence.

Find out more: https://www.bradford.ac.uk/student-life/support/

Named contact for care leaver students

The University of Bradford has two named contacts for care leavers: one for prospective students (and those just starting) and one for current students.

Pre-entry contact: Chelsea Redshaw, C.Redshaw@bradford.ac.uk

Post-entry contact: Thomas Whitford-Bartle, t.whitford-bartle1@bradford.ac.uk

Year round accommodation

On campus – In addition to the standard 42-week contract available to all students, the University can support you in securing year-long accommodation, if needed.

Off campus – If needed, support can be offered to find off campus accommodation.

Find out more: www.bradford.ac.uk/accommodation/

Support with the transition to higher education

Mentoring – Care leavers at the University of Bradford are offered a ‘buddy’ from its existing group of care experienced students.

Local authority links – Our close work with Bradford Council will support the transition process, albeit a more long term transition, as we also support young people in care and their carers in preparing them for HE.

Step up to HE Event – We hold an event for all students to attend prior to starting at the University, this give anyone worried about the transition, time to prepare and ask any questions they may have.

Find out more: www.bradford.ac.uk/step-up/

Additional financial support

Bursary – A Care Experienced Students’ Grant of £1,000 a year is available to all students who have previously been in local authority care and have a household income of less than £30,000 per year. The Grant is paid each year at the end of May, but we can consider earlier payments based on individual needs.

Additional financial help is also available from the University’s Student Support Fund which, depending on circumstances, can award grants of up to £2,000 a year. Care experienced students have priority access to the Fund, and it is open to them all year round.

A*AA/AAA Scholarships – We offer cash scholarships worth £3,500 (over the duration of a 3-year degree) to all Home and EU students who achieve A*AA AAA or higher in their A Levels (or equivalent).

Budgeting support – Support with budgeting is available. There is a dedicated Money Adviser contact to help with finances and funding throughout your time at Bradford. This support is available from pre-application through to graduation.

Find out more: www.bradford.ac.uk/money/

Face-to-face training

Staff training has been delivered to all champions and first-points of contact to better understand the experiences of care leavers in HE.

Succeeding after higher education

Employment support

Employment support – Our careers team can offer support and advice, as well as help find opportunities for part time work, placements and voluntary opportunities. Those who have had care experience are encouraged to take part in the student ambassador scheme. The Bespoke employability support means all care leavers will have a named careers team member for support thorughout their time at university.

Find out more: www.bradford.ac.uk/careers/services

Bespoke graduate opportunities – University of Bradford graduates are welcome to use our all our services for up to five years after they finish their studies. We also have a programme that is specifically designed for graduating students to help with the transition into life beyond university. This includes access to bespoke resources, mentor schemes and professional services.

Find out more: www.bradford.ac.uk/careers/graduates/

Calderdale College

Getting to higher education

Dedicated care leaver webpage

Our dedicated web page contains details of our offer, key contacts and links to further care leaver information from Go Higher West Yorkshire.

URL: https://www.calderdale.ac.uk/advice/care-leavers/

Experiences on campus

We are able to offer bespoke opportunities to visit our campus on request. Contact Kirsty Sanderson (kirsty.sanderson@calderdale.ac.uk) for more details.

Subject taster sessions: Available on request.

Campus tour: Available on request.

Application support

1-1 guidance to complete application: Calderdale College provide Care Leavers with additional support information around funding applications (e.g. proving status for independent assessment for Student Finance England).

Support with eligibility queries: Available via the student outreach team. Contact Kirsty Sanderson (kirsty.sanderson@calderdale.ac.uk) for more details.

Succeeding in higher education

Wellbeing support

At Calderdale College, support staff identify care leavers from their enrollment form and make contact to offer support throughout their studies.

1-1 support: 1-1 support is available from the named care leaver contact. Contact Charmaine Stanislaus (Charmaine.stanislaus@calderdale.ac.uk) for more details.

Mental health support: Support for your mental health and counselling services can be accessed via the Advice and Guidance team.

URL: www.calderdale.ac.uk/advice/

Named contact for care leaver students

Pre-entry contact: If you have any queries before you apply, please contact Contact Kirsty Sanderson (kirsty.sanderson@calderdale.ac.uk).

Post-entry contact: The dedicated contact for care leavers studying in further and higher education at Calderdale College is Jamila Riaz (jamilar@calderdale.ac.uk).

Support with the transition to higher education

Local authority links: As part of Go Higher West Yorkshire’s pilot ‘Care to Go Higher’ programme for care professionals, staff at Calderdale College have volunteered to be a ‘buddy’ for foster carers and/or children’s home workers. This relationship aims to support the communication between Local Authorities and higher education providers, supporting care leavers’ transitions from care to HE.

Additional financial support

Budgeting support: As part of Go Higher West Yorkshire’s pilot ‘Care to Go Higher’ programme for care professionals, staff at Calderdale College have volunteered to be a ‘buddy’ for foster carers and/or children’s home workers. Buddies will be able to provide financial advice and budgeting advice related to higher education.

University of Huddersfield

Getting to higher education

Dedicated care leaver webpage

Our dedicated page provides information about the support available to care leavers at University of Huddersfield and how to access it.

URL: https://students.hud.ac.uk/help/wellbeing/careleavers/

Experiences on campus

The University of Huddersfield invite care experienced students to bespoke events and tailored IAG sessions within our Open Days and Applicant Visit days where they can meet our designated member of staff for care leavers. Prospective students who are care experienced can access a range of bespoke experiences of our campus. Please contact Ruth Cohen on R.Cohen@hud.ac.uk to discuss any arrangements you might like to make.

Subject taster sessions: Available on request.

Campus tour: Available on request.

Extra-curricular activity: Available on request.

Application support

1-1 guidance to complete application: We can provide both group and one to one sessions to help with applications and all care experienced students are contacted on application in order to offer information and advice and be invited to meet with our designated member of staff for care leavers.

Support with eligibility queries: Contact Ruth Cohen on r.cohen@hud.ac.uk to discuss any queries.

Consideration of contextual information

The University of Huddersfield encourages care experienced students to make contact with our designated member of staff for care leavers to discuss specific entry requirements and to arrange tailored visits/interviews.

Succeeding in higher education

Consideration of contextual information

1-1 staff support: At the University of Huddersfield all care experienced students are offered one-to-one meetings with our DMS (designated member of staff).

Mental health support: Students are signposted to all the University Wellbeing and Disability services when necessary including counselling, mental health support, ‘Back on Track’ advisers and a wide range of welfare related workshops including a Trans* student support group, ‘Mind Your Head’ support group for students with mental health issues, an autism lunch club, anxiety and depression workshops, bereavement support and workshops around family estrangement. The DMS also works in partnership with the advice and guidance teams within each academic school.

Care leaver network/activity: There are a number of social activities for care experienced students throughout the year. For example, in previous years care leavers have been offered trips to watch the football, theatre trips and a number of meals out.

Peer mentoring: From September 2017 all care experienced starters are offered a ‘buddy’ from our existing group of care experienced students.

Named contact for care leaver students

Ruth Cohen is the designated point of contact for both prospective and current care experienced students. She offers additional support for pre-entry students.

Pre-entry contact: Ruth Cohen, R.Cohen@hud.ac.uk

Post-entry contact: Rebecca Hayes, R.Hayes@hud.ac.uk

Year round accommodation

The University of Huddersfield provides information on accommodation options via their outreach team and designated member of staff (DMS), who can arrange individual visits. The DMS works with accommodation providers to ensure priority status, to help with issues around guarantors and deposits and to guarantee access to 365 day accommodation.

Off campus: There are a number of accommodation options available for students a short distance from the University campus, including student villages and approved letting providers.

URL: https://students.hud.ac.uk/unilife/travel/accommodation/

Support with the transition to higher education

Once they have applied, all care experienced students are invited for individual visits before they start at the University of Huddersfield. Contact Ruth Cohen (r.cohen@hud.ac.uk) for more information.

Mentoring: All care experienced students are entitled to access a learning mentor who can help bridge the gap between college and University study.

Bespoke fresher activity: All care experienced students are invited to our specific induction day for care leavers which covers all aspects of University life including finance, disability, careers, SU activities, and the Student Ambassador scheme.

Local authority links: Post enrolment, the dedicated member of staff (DMS) works in partnership with local authorities to ensure a smooth transition into University life.

Additional financial support

In addition to undergraduate support, the University of Huddersfield also offers a PhD scholarship (The Lemn Sissay PhD scholarship for care leavers) This covers tuition fees and provides a monthly bursary of over £1000 for 3 years.

Bursary: At the University of Huddersfield, care experienced students who are supported by their local authorities and are under the age of 25 when they commence their studies are entitled to a care leaver bursary. This is paid in instalments and amounts to £2000 over 3 years. Care leavers also receive an additional £1000 in their first year through the University scholarship fund.

Budgeting support: Contact Ruth Cohen (R.Cohen@hud.ac.uk) for access to support with managing your finances.

Free/discounted goods: Care experienced students have priority consideration when applying to the University hardship fund, and can also apply for help with educational items such as laptops, books, software and placement travel costs. All care experienced students are entitled to free gym membership throughout their studies.

URL: https://www.hud.ac.uk/undergraduate/fees-and-finance/care-leavers-support/

Training to help staff understand care leavers

The University of Huddersfield is working to set up a Care Leaver Forum comprised of ‘care leaver champions’ from each University academic school. This forum will meet termly to raise awareness of the experiences and needs of care leavers and to take forward the work undertaken with our care leaver population.

Face-to-face training: Targeted training sessions around the experiences of care leavers are offered to all staff and new starters on an annual basis.

Conferences/events: The University of Huddersfield regularly invites care professionals to events such as conferences, Q & A sessions and specific talks designed to enhance their understanding of HE and how to navigate their way through HE processes with the young people they are supporting. We invite PAs to attend our specific induction day with their young people and care professionals are very welcome to attend targeted events within our Open Days, Applicant Visit days and Taster Day sessions.

Succeeding after higher education

Bespoke graduate opportunities: Care experienced students are encouraged to become student ambassadors. This can both help immerse them in student life and to develop skills that will enhance their employability. The designated member of staff works with all academic schools to organise work experience placements and personal development opportunities for care experienced students.

Bespoke employability support: The University of Huddersfield provides a designated adviser from the employability coaching team for care leavers. This member of staff attends the initial induction day for care leavers ensuring contact with the employability service from the outset of the student lifecycle. She tracks progression with the employability service from this group of students and ensures timely communication and invitations to employability events.

Employability mentoring: As well as access to a learning mentor care experienced students can access a mentor from the senior management team within the University.

URL: https://students.hud.ac.uk/opportunities/careers/

Kirklees College

Getting to higher education

Dedicated care leaver webpage

Our dedicated page provides information on the support available to care leavers in both further and higher education at Kirklees College.

URL: https://www.kirkleescollege.ac.uk/supporting-you/

Experiences on campus

Subject taster sessions: Subject taster sessions available to all care leavers.

Campus tour: Campus tour with the named person for care leavers is available for prospective students transferring to us post 18.

Extra-curricular activity: Online enrichment and mentors available to all care leavers.

Application support

Support with eligibility queries: Our Care Coordinator will support prospective students with any eligibility queries. Contact Natalie Adams at nadams01@kirkleescollege.ac.uk

1-1 guidance to complete application: 1:1 support is available to help support students progressing internally with applications to HE.

Consideration of contextual information

Consideration of personal circumstances is considered, when information is made available to staff.

Personal development coaches and careers staff are aware of and support current further education students with UCAS boosting activities at our higher education providers, e.g. Access to Leeds.

Admissions Manager and Student Wellbeing Lead liaise to ensure equality of opportunity and consideration given to contextual information of students applying for higher education courses at Kirklees College.

Succeeding in higher education

Wellbeing support

1-1 staff support: 1:1 staff support is available via our personal development coaches and Care Coordinators.

Mental health support: Care leaver students can access a counselling service at Kirklees College.

Care leaver network/activity: Kirklees College has links with local care leaver networks and can signpost students to opportunities.

Peer mentoring: Peer mentoring is being introduced for care leaver students for 2019/20.

URL: https://www.kirkleescollege.ac.uk/student-support/

Named contact for care leaver students

Natalie Adams is the named person for care leavers at Kirklees College across further and higher education. Our Student Wellbeing Lead has links with the local university to enable smooth FE-HE transition for any students choosing to pursue higher education there.

Pre- and post- entry contact: Natalie Law NLaw@kirkleescollege.ac.uk

Support with the transition to higher education

Staff look at information from surrounding schools and on application to assess any student’s risk of drop out.

Mentoring: Coaching and mentoring is available via the personal development coaches and Care Coordinator.

Local authority links: Care Coordinators link with a care leaver student’s PA to support their transition through enrolment. Care Coordinators consider care leavers’ transition from being in care to being a care leaver to ensure support through this transition.

Additional financial support

Bursary: Care leavers can access a bursary, including discretionary funds.

Budgeting support: Budgeting support is available via 1:1 personal development coaches and named person for care leavers, liaising with PA/benefits services where needed.

Graduation cost support: Available through internal Student Finance by application.

Free/discounted goods: Students can access the college foodbank in times of need.

URL: https://www.kirkleescollege.ac.uk/student-life/financial-support/

Training to help staff understand care leavers

Staff are kept updated of legislation and current guidance related to care leavers via email.

Face-to-face training: Staff are offered face-to-face training in relation to all vulnerable groups of students. New for 2019/20 – reverse peer mentoring. Students from vulnerable groups and those from minority groups (including care leavers) will mentor staff to support understanding of their needs and their inclusion.

Conferences/events: Kirklees College hosts college events for care leavers.

E-learning: Core, Advanced and Practitioner online training available for all staff.

Succeeding after higher education

Employment support

Bespoke graduate opportunities: The College has links with the Local Authority, providing access to employment for looked after children and care leavers, including apprenticeships.

Bespoke employability support: Care leaver students are provided with in-college CV writing support from personal development coaches and the careers team.

URL: https://www.kirkleescollege.ac.uk/careers/

Leeds Conservatoire

Getting to higher education

Dedicated care leaver webpage

At Leeds Conservatoire, we are committed to supporting care-experienced students. We want you to get the best out of your course, fulfil your potential, and enjoy your Conservatoire experience.

Being care-experienced means you will have spent time living with foster carers under local authority care, in residential care (e.g. a children’s home), looked after at home under a supervision order, or in kinship care with relatives or friends, either officially (e.g. a special guardianship order) or informally without local authority support.

From the moment you apply to join us at Leeds Conservatoire, right through to your graduation and beyond there’s lots of support on offer to help you get the most out of your experience.

URL: www.leedsconservatoire.ac.uk/student-life/student-support/care-leavers/

Experiences on campus

We are happy to organise campus tours for care leavers and foster families, so if you would like to arrange a student-led tour of our facilities you can book a campus tour online.

URL: https://www.leedsconservatoire.ac.uk/visit-us/campus-tours/

Application support

Remember to tick the box on your UCAS application to let us know you have been in care.

This is confidential and won’t be assessed as part of your application. It does, however, help our student support team understand if you might require additional support, so we can make arrangements before your course begins. If you would like to talk to our admissions team about your application, please email admissions@lcm.ac.uk

Graduation cost support

We will cover the cost of gown hire and photographs at Graduation for our care leaver students.

Succeeding in higher education

Wellbeing support

Within the Health and Wellbeing Team, we provide a range of free and confidential services to help with any practical, emotional, or mental health conditions that you might be experiencing, which are impacting upon your studies or student life.

If you are a current or prospective student and would like to discuss any specific support needs or concerns about your wellbeing please don’t hesitate to get in touch at healthandwellbeing@leedsconservatoire.ac.uk

Named contact for care leaver students

Our Dedicated Care Leaver Contact is

Bethany Milner.

Contact our Student Wellbeing Adviser (Access and Participation) at Access@leedsconservatoire.ac.uk

support with transition to he

We fully recognise that as a care-experienced young person coming to university for the first time, you may have a number of questions and concerns.

You can contact us for support as early as you would like, even before you apply. We can talk to you about conservatoire life and answer any questions you may have.

additional financial support

We provide advice and support for care-experienced students on how to apply for any available funding and associated benefits. If you would like to talk to our student funding team, please contact studentfunding@leedsconservatoire.ac.uk

We will also cover the cost of gown hire at Graduation for our care-experienced students.

You can visit our Fees and Funding page for more information. https://www.leedsconservatoire.ac.uk/student-life/student-support/fees-and-funding/

Training to help staff understand care leavers

Drawing upon resources within Go Higher West Yorkshire, Leeds Conservatoire plans to train staff to better understand care leavers during the 2024/25 academic year.

accommodation support

An accommodation start-up grant worth £150 for essential items, is available to applicants starting their course in September 2024, who have been receiving benefits, are care leavers, or are estranged from their family.

To find out more, please visit our Scholarships & Bursaries page: https://www.leedsconservatoire.ac.uk/courses/apply-audition-fees/fees-funding/scholarships-bursaries/

Succeeding after higher education

Employment support

The Employability & Enterprise team are here to support students in their career and artistic ambitions within the arts and creative sector. Talk to them for help with:

Careers, Jobs & Employability
Funding Support
Performance & Industry Opportunities

You can find full information on the support we offer on the Progression Portal section on the Conservatoire website: https://www.leedsconservatoire.ac.uk/archive/progression-portal/

University of Leeds

Getting to higher education

Dedicated care leaver webpage

Our dedicated webpage for care leavers contains information about the support you are entitled to as a care leaver at the University of Leeds, including finance, accommodation and access programmes.

URL: https://students.leeds.ac.uk/info/1000014/plus_programme/1063/care_leaver

Experiences on campus

Care-experienced students are automatically enrolled onto the Plus Programme where possible, a self-referral route also allows students to self-declare their circumstances at any point during their Leeds degree.

During their course, care-experienced students are eligible for the Plus Programme, which offers ongoing support to students from underrepresented groups.

This programme provides academic workshops, skills development opportunities and social activities, as well as working with departments and support services to help students access all the opportunities available to them.

Care-experienced students have access to all this activity and are, where appropriate offered either priority or exclusive access. We also offer bespoke events for care experienced students, including free pub lunches every term.

One-on-one support is also available both prior to entry and while on course via the university’s named contact for care experienced students, as well as the advice team in Help and Support at Leeds University Union.

Application support

When Care Leaver applicants confirm the University of Leeds as their first choice they are sent a welcome email and offered the opportunity for a tour of the university and an appointment with the Care Leaver contact for the University of Leeds. If they wish they can also meet a current student who will talk to them about their experiences of being a student at Leeds and take any questions which are on their mind.

1-1 guidance to complete application: The named contact for care leavers will signpost students to help them access this support from the University Admissions team.

Support with eligibility queries: The named contact for care leavers will signpost students to help them access this support from the University Admissions team and/or their preferred school of study within the University.

Contextual admissions

Consideration of contextual information: Eligibility for the Access to Leeds programme is based upon consideration of contextual information about a student’s personal circumstances.

Activity/programme to boost UCAS score:

Access to Leeds is the University of Leeds alternative admissions scheme which you may benefit from as a student who has experienced time in care. You must be living permanently in the UK, have the potential to study at the University of Leeds and meet two or more of the criteria, which include having spent time in public care.

Successful applicants are made an alternative offer, which is typically two grades below the standard entry requirements for their course. This offer can then be taken up following successful completion of the Access to Leeds programme.

Succeeding in higher education

Wellbeing support

1-1 staff support: 1-1 support is available via Lisa Firth at careleavers@leeds.ac.uk

The Student Counselling and Wellbeing Service are a multi-professional team of counsellors, mental health advisors and wellbeing practitioners who offer a range of support services including:

Single session consultation appointments
Mental health and wellbeing support
Face-to-face and online counselling
Groups and workshops
Meditation
A range of online resources including TogetherAll

The Counselling and Wellbeing Service also offer bespoke wellbeing workshops for students on the Plus Programme.

As a team they have extensive experience of the issues and difficulties that students can face while studying. Students can complete an online self-referral form available 24 hours a day to make an appointment. For further information see: http://students.leeds.ac.uk/info/100001/counselling

The University also runs activities for students staying in Leeds over the Winter break and outside of term time.

Named contact for care leaver students

The named contact for care leavers and estranged students at University of Leeds is Lisa Firth. She can support care leavers with queries before they apply, and before and after they start their studies. Lisa will signpost to other services at the University, including the Admissions Team and Lifelong Learning Centre.

Pre-and post-entry contact: Lisa Firth: careleavers@leeds.ac.uk 0113 343 7669

Year round accommodation

The University has developed a package of support for undergraduate care experienced students. This includes:

a guaranteed place in University-owned accommodation (and care-experienced students are usually able to receive their first choice)
the offer of 365-day accommodation
a waiver of the upfront security deposit for University-owned accommodation
the option to delay accommodation payments until the student has received the first instalment of their student loan

The Plus Programme team also provide a detailed accommodation resource for care-experienced students, with a particular focus on securing private accommodation.

In addition, provide the name of an independent guarantor support service for private accommodation and pay the fee for this.

Support with the transition to higher education

Students who self-identify as care-experienced on UCAS, enter the university via a contextual outreach or admissions route such as Access to Leeds or Reach for Excellence, or apply for a means-tested scholarship, are automatically included in the online transition and in-person welcome events run by the Plus Programme team, which are designed to ease students’ transition into a university setting, build initial friendships and networks, develop skills for independent living and learning, and make the most of their Leeds degree from the outset.

Additional financial support

Undergraduate care-experienced students who are financially independent or have a household income below £42,875 are actively encouraged to apply for the undergraduate means-tested scholarship and receive weighted scores in the selection criteria. This scholarship is worth £3,000 for three years of their Leeds degree: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-funding-university/doc/personal-circumstances-scholarships

If any students don’t receive the undergraduate means-tested scholarship, they will automatically be provided with the Leeds Bursary if they are deemed eligible, which is worth up to £2,000 per year of their degree: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/undergraduate-funding-university/doc/leeds-bursary

Undergraduate care-experienced students who are in receipt of either the Leeds Bursary or the Undergraduate Means-tested Scholarship and are able to evidence their circumstances, will receive a top-up of £2,000 per year

Care experienced students studying Masters courses at the university are also encouraged to apply for the Leeds Masters Scholarship which is worth £7,000, and receive weighted scores in the selection criteria: https://www.leeds.ac.uk/masters-funding-scholarships/doc/leeds-masters-scholarships

Our named contact can also assist students in applying for care leaver student status through Student Finance.

As members of the Plus Programme, students can apply for up to £500 to put towards personal and professional development opportunities such as internships, job interviews and conferences. Furthermore, students are able to receive reimbursements for LUU society membership fees and associated costs.

Lastly, if any students find themselves facing financial hardship, they can apply for emergency funding through the university’s Financial Assistance Fund: https://students.leeds.ac.uk/info/10231/university-financial-assistance-fund

Training to help staff understand care leavers

Face-to-face training: The University of Leeds gives presentations on working with care-experienced to its staff in Educational Engagement upon request.

Succeeding after higher education

Employment support

The Plus Programme provide care-experienced students with priority access to the upReach programme. This includes one to one support, access to exclusive opportunities and events, and links to employer partners. As a target group of students, our Careers Service also provide priority careers support.

The University of Leeds are aware of the additional pressure on care-experienced students to secure further study or employment upon graduation. For this reason, we have introduced the ‘Find your Future’ package in collaboration with our Careers Service, which is available for all care experienced students in their penultimate and final years of study.

This scheme offers additional employability support for care experienced students in their penultimate and final years of study. This scheme offers specialised group coaching, CV application and mock interview support, a drop-in offering at the Connections Hub run by the Employability and Progression Assistants and themed sessions on different topics related to employability.

Students are also given priority access to our 30 minute mentoring scheme, giving students the opportunity to meet with an alum working in an industry they’re interested in, to help them ascertain their future careers goals.

Lastly, upon graduation, care experienced students can apply for a reimbursement of up to £100 of graduation related costs including gown hire and graduation photographs.

Leeds Arts University

Getting to higher education

Dedicated care leaver webpage

Our information for care experienced prospective and current students can be found on our Student Advice & Wellbeing page: https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/about-us/student-support/student-advice-and-wellbeing. You can also find out more about how we define care experience: https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/about-us/student-support/definition-of-care-experience

Experiences on campus

The Progression Team, Nominated Care Leaver Contact and Student Support all offer bespoke individualised support on notification and contact. You can contact the Progression Team to find out more and arrange experiences on campus for looked after young people or care leavers progression@leeds-art.ac.uk.

Subject taster sessions: Small group subject tasters alongside Social Workers or Foster Carers can be arranged.

Campus tour: Campus tours alongside Social Workers or Foster Carers can be arranged.

Extra-curricular activity: Leeds Arts University offers a vibrant programme of extra-curricular outreach activities. For more information, please see: https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/about-us/access-and-participation/our-outreach-activity

Application support

Our Nominated care-experienced contact, alongside our Progression team, can provide support where possible to students who need additional or early application support. In addition, support for care experienced students is available in the form of a contribution towards the cost of their travel expenses to attend a post-offer Offer Holder Day. You can get in touch by emailing progression@leeds-art.ac.uk

Contextual admissions

Care-experience is taken into consideration during our admissions process (see 3.4 Contextual Information (for Undergraduate Programmes) in Admissions Policy: https://portal.leeds-art.ac.uk/sites/default/files/documents/Admissions%20Policy%20May%202024.pdf

Succeeding in higher education

Wellbeing support

1-1 staff support: Students can access pastoral support and student welfare and student support teams. Staff will liaise across course teams to ensure a joined up approach to supporting care experienced students’ wellbeing.

Mental health support: Leeds Arts University has Mental Health Support Workers in place.

Named contact for care leaver students

We have a dedicated care leaver contact, Anne-Marie Watkinson (anne-marie.watkinson@leeds-art.ac.uk), who can answer questions regarding our courses and the support we offer. Anne-Marie is also on hand to support current students at Leeds Arts University and will contact any students who indicate that they are care experienced on their UCAS application.

Year round accommodation

The University will liaise with student accommodation providers to support the applicant with their accommodation needs.

Support with the transition to higher education

Students are supported on a bespoke, case-by-case basis according to their needs and the level of support they wish to receive. This is through contact with the Nominated Care Leaver Contact, Student Advice and Wellbeing team, and through the Students’ Union. The Hello Café is a weekly event offered in the first term for all new entrants to help students orient themselves, make new friends, and transition into the university.

Local authority links: Leeds Arts University attends regional care leaver professional network meetings as well as the Leeds Corporate Parenting Operational Group.

Additional financial support

Care-experienced offer-holders are entitled to a contribution towards the cost of their travel expenses to attend an Offer Holder Day.

Bursary: A bursary of £3,000 per year is available to undergraduate students who are assessed as care experienced. The bursary will be paid in three instalments of £1,000 at the start of each term. More information is available at https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/apply/undergraduate-fees-and-finance

Budgeting support: Budgeting advice is provided through the Student Union and Student Advice & Wellbeing.

Free/discounted goods: We provide all students with financial support for materials in each year of study. This is £55 in each of their first two years and then £75 in the final year of study.

URL: https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/about-us/access-and-participation/access-and-participation-plans

Training to help staff understand care leavers

Staff on each undergraduate course complete GHWY’s e-learning module on Care-experienced and Estranged Students.

Succeeding after higher education

Employment support

The Careers, Employability and Enterprise (CEE) team provide 1 to 1 employability support and an information service for all students. Students also have access to exclusive paid briefs and competitions. Graduates are able to use the CEE service up till five years following graduation.

Bespoke graduate opportunities: Care experienced students can apply for Creatives in Residence and funded studio opportunities.

Bespoke employability support: One to one consultations with Careers Advisers are available to all care experienced students.

Leeds Beckett University

Getting to higher education

Dedicated care leaver webpage

Our dedicated webpage for care leavers provides information on a range of support, including finance, accommodation and wellbeing.

URL: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/care-leavers-and-estranged/

Experiences on campus

The Access & Widening Participation team organise a wide range of activities for young people which aim to increase their confidence to succeed in Higher Education (HE). Activities offered cover areas such as student life, course options at university, university application process. Our team offer specific programmes and activities to young people from care-experienced backgrounds.

contextual admissions

Applicants should contact Admissions at admissions@leedsbeckett.ac.uk for further information about contextual admissions, as it may differ for certain courses.

Residential activity

Places for care experienced young people are reserved of on Leeds Beckett University summer residential programmes.

Email: schoolsandcolleges@leedsbeckett.ac.uk

Application support

1-1 guidance to complete application: In partnership with Leeds City Council and the Virtual School, Leeds Beckett University provide bespoke help with personal statements. To arrange this, or for more information, please contact the Access and Widening Participation team.

URL: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/undergraduate/applying-to-university/

Succeeding in higher education

Wellbeing support

1-1 staff support: 1-1 support and signposting is available via the named contact for care leavers, Sam Wainwright. Sam can be contacted on s.wainwright@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.

Mental health support: The Student Wellbeing team is made up of counsellors and mental health practitioners who are skilled and experienced in recognizing how emotional and mental health difficulties can affect your time whilst at university. Many staff members across the University are trained in Mental Health First Aid.

Care leaver network/activity: LBU is looking to start a care leaver society/peer support group in 2019/20.

URL: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/student-wellbeing-team/

Named contact for care leaver students

Sarah Baker is the named contact for prospective and current care leaver students at Leeds Beckett University. Sarah can be contacted on s.k.baker@leedsbeckett.ac.uk / +44 1138122693 and will provide support or signpost to further support where appropriate.

Year round accommodation

If you are a care leaver and decide to stay in a university halls of residence, we will guarantee that you have access to this university accommodation for 365 days a year. Please note that only certain properties that are managed by the university are applicable for 365 day contracts. For further information please contact the Accommodation Office at accommodation@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.

URL: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/accommodation/

Additional financial support

Budgeting support is available through the money advice service.

Bursary: If you can provide evidence that you are a care leaver you may be able to apply for a bursary of up to £1500 from the university and also access our Leeds Beckett hardship funds for every year of your course. For further information about this, please visit our bursaries and scholarships web page. Applicants will need to book either a face to face or telephone appointment to go through the application process.

URL: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/bursaries/

Training to help staff understand care leavers

Face-to-face training

All University staff can access training related to understanding care leavers via People Development Sessions.

Succeeding after higher education

Employment support

Bespoke employability support: Our careers team offer support and advice, as well as help finding opportunities for part time work and placements. We work closely with them to offer dedicated support for graduate employment planning which begins at level 5 and is available for up to 5 years after graduation. For further information and details of how to book appointments with an adviser, please visit our Careers webpages.

Employability mentoring: Employability mentoring is currently being piloted by the careers team.

URL: www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/careers/

Leeds College of Building

Getting to higher education

Application support

We can’t wait to meet you – the architects, builders, engineers, planners, surveyors, managers, designers, and craftspeople of the future.

Whether you’ve applied already or still need help choosing a course, we’re here to guide you to the perfect career and look forward to teaching you soon.If you have any questions regarding the enrolment process please get in touch by calling 0113 222 6002 or emailing info@lcb.ac.uk

Succeeding in higher education

Wellbeing support

Whether you’re on a study programme or an apprenticeship, you will be allocated an Learning coach to help you get the most out of your time at college. They can help with:

Careers information and guidance
Applications for employment or higher education
Support with academic difficulties
Help with personal problems and difficulties
Paying for courses and travel.

1-1 staff support: 1-1 support can be accessed through a college personal development team, the named contact for care leavers, or the Inclusive Learning Service.

Named contact for care leaver students

The named contact for prospective and current care leaver students at Leeds College of Building is Charlotte Duffy (cduffy@lcb.ac.uk).

Pre- and post-entry contact: Charlotte Duffy cduffy@lcb.ac.uk

support with transition to HE

Lisa Pannell is our Careers Lead and a Level 6 qualified careers advisor.

Lisa provides independent and impartial advice and guidance regarding career and further and higher education decisions. Lisa supports students with CV writing, online application forms, seeking part-time employment and apprenticeships, interview practice, and she supports students with applying for higher education through UCAS.

Lisa is available between 9am – 3pm and is available at North Street on Monday, Wednesday & Friday each week. Alternatively, you she’s available at South Bank on Tuesday and Thursday

To talk through your options, you can contact Lisa to arrange an appointment. She’s available by emailing L.Pannell@lcb.ac.uk phoning on 0113 2226000, through Teams or via Collsys, which is the college’s internal careers and employability tool.

Additional financial support

If you are worried about the costs associated with attending College, don’t worry, you may be eligible for financial support.

Support available includes:

Free travel on buses during term time
Train passes (depending on location of student)
Bursary and learner support fund
Free meals
Discounts from local suppliers for stationery, protective clothing and drawing equipment

If you have any questions regarding free meals, and the bursary and learner support fund, you can speak to Student Services by calling 0113 222 6002.

Succeeding after higher education

Employment support

Bespoke graduate opportunities

Leeds College of Building try to offer care leavers work placements where possible.

University Centre Leeds

Getting to higher education

Dedicated care leaver webpage

Our dedicated webpage for care leavers demonstrates the support we offer higher education care leaver students at our University Centre

URL: https://ucleeds.ac.uk/student-life/care-leavers/

Experiences on campus

To help you make informed decisions about your higher education and degree choices, we can offer a range of opportunities to visit our University Centre campus.

Subject taster sessions: University Centre Leeds offer Foster Family / Care Experienced Taster Days.

Campus tour: University Centre Leeds can offer personalised campus tours to care leavers.

Application support

1-1 guidance to complete application: University Centre Leeds offers 1-1 support to make an application to study with us. Contact admissions@ucleeds.ac.uk to arrange this.

Contextual admissions

Consideration of contextual information: University Centre Leeds may be able to make you a course offer lower than the stated entry requirements based on your personal circumstances and experience of care.

Succeeding in higher education

Wellbeing support

1-1 staff support: 1-1 support for care leavers is available from the University Centre Leeds HE Welfare and Student Engagement Officer and/or a Named contact from within the Safeguarding Team.

Mental health support: A HE Counselling and Mental Health Officer is in place at the University Centre.

Peer mentoring: University Centre Leeds offers buddying and mentoring schemes to care leavers.

Named contact for care leaver students

The named contact for prospective and current care leaver students at University Centre Leeds is Jo Tyssen.

Pre-entry contact: Jo Tyssen – Joanne.Tyssen@ucleeds.ac.uk

Post-entry contact: Andrew Ottey – andrew.ottey@leedscitycollege.ac.uk

Year round accommodation

We can offer a guaranteed place in partner halls of residence

Additional financial support

To help support new students leaving care or estranged students to start full time higher education at University Centre Leeds, we offer a package of financial support.

Bursary: A Care Leavers Bursary is available from University Centre Leeds (up to £1000).

Free/discounted goods: University Centre Leeds will provide care leavers with a free Chromebook. We will support the cost of interview travel and / or on-course materials (up to 50%) and graduation (up to 50% of cost for gown hire and photographs).

Training to help staff understand care leavers

Drawing upon resources within Go Higher West Yorkshire, University Centre Leeds plans to train staff to better understand care leavers during the 2019/20 academic year.

Leeds Trinity University

Getting to higher education

Dedicated care leaver webpage

Our dedicated webpage provides details on the support available to care leavers during the admissions process and time spent studying with us, including access to support staff, finance and accommodation.

URL: https://www.leedstrinity.ac.uk/study/care-leavers/

Experiences on campus

Residential activity: Opportunity to take part in a residential activity is available as part of our contextualised admissions scheme.

Subject taster sessions: We can arrange visits with teaching staff to help care leavers gain a deeper insight into your subject area of interest.

Campus tour: We are able to provide bespoke campus tours to care leavers.

Application support

1-1 guidance to complete application: Support with your application is available via contact with Leeds Trinity’s single point of contact for care leavers.

Contextual admissions

Activity/programme to boost UCAS score

Our Reward Scheme Residential has a number of criteria, one of which is being a care leaver (students need to meet one to be eligible). Completion of the Reward Scheme Residential gives prospective students 8 UCAS points towards a course offer from Leeds Trinity University.

URL:https://www.leedstrinity.ac.uk/undergraduate/apply/entry-requirements/

Succeeding in higher education

Wellbeing support

1-1 staff support: Student support staff, including the dedicated Care Leaver Coordinator, are available for 1-1 support.

Mental health support: Mental health support is available to care leavers at Leeds Trinity University.

Care leaver network/activity: Leeds Trinity University provides opportunities for care leavers to meet new friends through activities, clubs and societies run by the Students’ Union.

Peer mentoring: Care leavers are offered Peer Learning Mentors and an optional ‘buddy’ during your first week on campus.

Named contact for care leaver students

The named contact for prospective and current care leaver students at Leeds Trinity University is Anajali Kataria (Schools and Colleges Engagement Officer).

Pre-entry contact: Anajali Kataria, SCLHello@leedstrinity.ac.uk

Post-entry contact: Anajali Kataria, SCLHello@leedstrinity.ac.uk

Year round accommodation

On campus: Care experienced students can access accommodation 365 days a year on our Horsforth Campus

URL: http://www.leedstrinity.ac.uk/student-life/accommodation

Support with the transition to higher education

Bespoke fresher activity: Available to all care leavers.

Local authority links: The Care Leaver Coordinator has strong links with Local Authorities in the region and will work collaboratively to ensure care leavers’ smooth transition into higher education.

Additional financial support

Bursary: Care experienced students may be eligible for a Care Experienced Bursary of £1,500 per year for all of our undergraduate courses.

Budgeting support: Leeds Trinity can provide tailored financial advice to care experienced students.

Free/discounted goods: Leeds Trinity provides care experienced students with vouchers for some university essentials. We also help with the cost of graduation gown hire.

URL: Fees and finance – Leeds Trinity University

Training to help staff understand care leavers

Face-to-face training: Face-to-face training is being undertaken with all personal tutors to help them understand care leaver needs.

Succeeding after higher education

Employment support

Bespoke employability support: Care Leavers studying at Leeds Trinity University are offered automatic shortlisting for Student Ambassador recruitment each September.

Employability mentoring: Leeds Trinity can provide care leavers with mentoring to support their employability once they leave the University.

University Centre Wakefield

Getting to higher education

Application support

1-1 guidance to complete application: The University Centre Wakefield is committed to supporting those from a care background who wish to enter higher education. Please get in touch with the named Care Leaver Contact, Carol McArthur at C.McArthur@wakefield.ac.uk, for more information about the application process.

Contextual admissions

University Centre Wakefield may be able to make you a course offer lower than the stated entry requirements based on your personal circumstances and experience of care. Please get in touch with the named Care Leaver Contact, Carol McArthur at C.McArthur@wakefield.ac.uk, for more information.

Succeeding in higher education

Wellbeing support

Small class sizes mean your tutor will get to know you. We treat you like an individual and tailor our support to meet your needs.

1-1 staff support: Contact Carol McArthur at C.McArthur@wakefield.ac.uk for access to any 1-1 support needs or signposting to other support available across the University Centre and beyond.

Mental health support: counselling offers a confidential space to talk in privacy about anything that is bothering you. You can also attend one of the drop in sessions at the Wakefield City Campus or Castleford Campus on Wednesdays between 1.15pm to 2.15pm
Telephone or text Carol: 07713 391716
Telephone or text Sue: 07713 391717
Email counselling@wakefield.ac.uk

Named contact for care leaver students

The named contact for prospective and current care leaver students at University Centre Wakefield is Carol McArthur, Safeguarding Officer. C.McArthur@wakefield.ac.uk.

Pre-entry contact: Carol McArthur C.McArthur@wakefield.ac.uk

Post-entry contact: Carol McArthur C.McArthur@wakefield.ac.uk

Additional financial support

Bursary: University Centre Wakefield offers a care leavers bursary. This award will be made to any UK student who has left local authority care in the 2 years prior to enrolment on the first year of study, irrespective of postcode. This is a non-means tested bursary of £1,500 per year of study.

Care Leaver Covenant