Estranged
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Estranged Student Pledge 2024-25
The Estranged Student Pledge (formerly Stand Alone Pledge) is aimed at students studying without family support. It raises awareness of the support available for them across our 13 member institutions including whether they have named contacts, dedicated web-pages, and additional financial support. It also features a definition of estranged, summarises some of the benefits of studying in HE, a glossary of HE terms, quotes from estranged students, and a list of top tips to help individuals on their HE journey.
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Estranged Student Pledge 2024-25
pdf (794.06 KB)
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Understanding and Supporting Care Experienced/Estranged Students
By the end of this CPD course, you will have the knowledge, understanding and confidence that will empower you to support care experienced young people and estranged students in Higher Education (HE). The course may also be of interest to staff that work in counselling, careers or marketing in HE so they can better communicate with and/or provide support for these students.
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Understanding and Supporting Care Experienced/Estranged Students CPD Course
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Support offered
Bradford College
Named contact
Rachel Bradbury is our dedicated Estranged Student contact: R.Bradbury@bradfordcollege.ac.uk
Finance support
Our £500 Estranged Student Grant is available to all estranged students studying an undergraduate degree. The College’s Hardship Fund prioritises applications received from estranged students.
Accommodation support
If you are a Estranged Student, you may be entitled to approximately £5,500 to support your accommodation for each academic year. This may include extended cover over the holidays.
Accommodation Grants are calculated according to individual circumstances, and are dependent on approval of sufficient supporting evidence. The Accommodation Grant cannot be provided in conjunction with the Bradford College Undergraduate Bursary. To receive this grant as an Estranged Student, you must provide Student Finance England conformation that you have been granted independent student status.
For more information about the financial support you may be entitled to, please contact quest@bradfordcollege.ac.uk
Wellbeing support
An independent Counselling Service which offers confidential space to talk and discuss emotional and mental wellbeing issues is available to our estranged students. Our Student Welfare Support Team provides a dedicated support package for estranged students and all our departments have fully trained staff as Mental Health Champions supporting students as required.
Outreach support
Working with the Student Recruitment, the QUEST Team provides pre-enrolment support for estranged students which covers all aspects of the application and enrolment process. We also provide personalised tours of the College and subject specialism advice for all estranged students.
Dedicated website
University of Bradford
Named contact
- Arranging to meet within the first few weeks at Bradford to answer any questions and to produce a bespoke support plan.
- Helping apply for the Estranged Student Bursary, and any other financial support available.
- Being a central point of contact throughout univesity, supporting with any questions or concerns.
- Liaising with Student Finance England and other funding bodies to help apply for financial support.
- Signposting to the wide range of Student Support teams available, as and when needed.
Contact Tracy at t.l.teale@bradford.ac.uk
Financial support
Accommodation support
Wellbeing support
Outreach support
- Being a point of contact to provide individual support and information during any part of the journey to University
- Providing one to one guidance with the UCAS application
- Arranging individual campus visits to visit the University and meet our student ambassadors
- Organising bespoke activity to find out more about university
Dedicated website
https://www.bradford.ac.uk/undergraduate/widening-participation/estranged/
Staff development
Service champions for Estranged Students, who are focused on the unique challenges Estranged Students face, and work to ensure that services meet these needs
Rent guarantor
We provide financial assistance for accommodation with support for guarantor fees for private accommodation.
Graduation cost support
We offer access to two free gowns for students who graduate.
Experiences on campus
The Outreach team can support by arranging individual campus visits to visit the University and meet our student ambassadors. We also have a dedicated stand for students who fall under our progression scheme at all open days and applicant days, therefore students can come and discuss any individual queries they may have.
Contextual admissions
Support with the transition to HE
Application support
The Outreach Team are on hand to help with any application support. This includes one to one guidance with the UCAS application, Personal Statement writing sessions, Interview Skills sessions, as well as any other queries.
Employability support
Academic support
University Centre Calderdale College
Finance support
For advice on financial support that may be available please contact adviceguidance@caderdale.ac.uk
University of Huddersfield
Named contact
We offer dedicated support and guidance through a named student services contact is provided from prior to application, to admission, through to graduation.
Contact Ruth Cohen for outreach support (R.Cohen@hud.ac.uk) or Rebecca Hayes (wellbeing support) r.hayes@hud.ac.uk
Finance support
We provide information, advice and support to estranged students on how to apply for funding and independent status through SFE. We are working towards prioritising estranged student access to the £1000 University of Huddersfield scholarship in first year of study, and priority access to the student hardship fund.
Accommodation support
We work with estranged students to support them in finding accommodation to suit their needs and with accommodation providers and the Students’ Union lettings service to ensure affordable access to accommodation outside term time. We will help estranged students with specific arrangements around deposits and guarantors.
Wellbeing support
We provide a wide range of mental health groups and workshops including a Trans student support group and are working in partnership with our SU to develop support for estranged students. We have named contacts for estranged students within the Student Wellbeing Service and ensure that students are supported with referrals to relevant local support groups and external agencies.
Outreach support
We will continue to target young people estranged from their families within widening participation outreach programmes and bespoke activities. We will continue to assist and them through the university application process and provide specific programmes and activities designed to help with their transition into University life. We are continuously improving the information for estranged students on our website.
Staff development
Extend training and briefing activities and consider establishing ‘champions’ across all academic schools, develop events for Virtual School Heads to promote opportunities and improve transitions
Rent guarantor
We will help estranged students with specific arrangements around deposits and guarantors.
Support with transition to HE
We work with students to ensure there is a smooth transition to HE from FE. Named contacts Rebecca Hayes and Ruth Cohen will ensure you are suported.
Kirklees College
Financial support
A Care Coordinator will support you with all applications whether internal student finance or support to apply for external funds and/or benefits.
Named contact
A Care Coordinator is assigned to every estranged student who will oversee educational reviews, liaise with any internal and exteranal support and act as an advocate and mentor.
Natalie Law, Wellbeing Lead, can be contacted at: nadams01@kirkleescollege.ac.uk
Wellbeing support
Estranged students will have a Pastoral Mentor/Mentor for Apprentices to support day to day wellbeing and signposting to services. A bespoke Personal Development programme is in place for estranged students which includes how to stay mentally and physically healthy. Students can take part in activities such as mindfulness, exercise classes and cooking for health on a budget.
Employment support
A Care Coordinator will ensure that estranged students have appropriate information, advice and guidance (IAG), and a relevant work placement. This can include support financially and emotionally to attend interviews, obtain appropriate clothing and navigating public transport.
Outreach support
We work in partnership with schools to ensure early identification of estranged applicants and offer appropriate support through application, enrolment and induction to ensure a supported transition.
Staff development
Ensure that all staff are aware of the challenges and vulnerabilities faced by estranged students and the referral pathways available to them.
Training to help staff understand the experiences of estranged students
Both internal teams and external providers have access to training, such as Trauma Informed Schools UK.
Graduation cost support
Available through internal student finance support.
Experiences on campus
Our Bespoke Personal Development Programme includes enrichment opportunities on campus.
Support with the transition to HE
Pastoral Mentors and Care Coordinators will work with estranged students throughout progression reviews at a frequency and level to suit. This may include interview skills and mock interviews with Careers Advisors, support to attend Open Days, support with preparation for living away and researching support on offer at institutions.
Personal education plan
Estranged students will have a personal education plan review three times per academic year with all relevant staff and external representatives e.g mental health support worker, to ensure the student is on track and has all the support in place to achieve agreed targets.
University of Leeds
Named contact
Lisa Firth – estrangedstudents@leeds.ac.uk.
Financial support
Accommodation support
- A guaranteed place in University-owned accommodation (and estranged 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 estranged students, with a particular focus on securing private accommodation.
Wellbeing support
- 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
Outreach and contextual admissions
Employment support
Dedicated website
https://students.leeds.ac.uk/info/1000014/plus_programme/1129/estranged_students_no_parental_support
Graduation cost support
The University offer up to £100 to support with costs relating to graduation photos and gowns. In 2023/24 the university were also able to offer graduation payments of £500 to students to cover some of the additional costs associated with completing university and transitioning into the workplace/further study.
Experiences on campus
Staff development
Estranged students are a priority group within the Access and Participation Plan for the University, and alongside the Access and Student Success Strategy, a range of mechanisms exist to communicate with staff about the experiences of widening participation students. This includes a regular Student Success newsletter, where initiatives for estranged students have been promoted, and a regular Student Success Forum where colleagues meet to discuss relevant business. The Plus Programme team are also in regular contact with academic and professional services staff, and meet to discuss the estranged student experience and how colleagues can better support students. Within the Careers Service, there is a Widening Participation team and colleagues have a thorough understanding of estranged students, attending training and facilitating research including into the experiences of students as they graduate.
Support with transition to HE
Students who self-identify as estranged 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.
Leeds Arts University
Named contact
Anne-Marie Watkinson: anne-marie.watkinson@leeds-art.ac.uk
Financial support
A £3,000 per year bursary paid in three instalments for those assessed as estranged by Student Finance England. Information on the bursary: https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/apply/undergraduate-fees-and-finance
Accommodation support
365-day accommodation is available where required with the University’s contracted accommodation providers.
Wellbeing support
We have a dedicated estranged student support member of staff in the Student Advice & Wellbeing team who will contact the student on point of application, and who can refer to other services across the university. Beyond support from the named contact, we now offer the Hello Café every Wednesday 1-2pm in the first term, which provides an opportunity for students to make friends and orient themselves accompanied by a free lunch and creative activity.
Outreach support
We will support estranged students by providing opportunities to join in our progression and outreach programme and activities. This will enable students to develop their creative skills and confidence. We also offer a bespoke tour to gain an orientation of the university, and advice and support in building an application to higher education.
Employment support
Employment support is offered to all students as part of their course time. Students are also able to access 1:1 appointments and wraparound support with the Careers, Employability & Enterprise team during their time at the University as well as up to 5 years post-graduation.
Find out more: https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/careers-industry
Support with the transition to HE
Specific support is available through the named contact between application and arrival to support transition. Offer of support upon arrival through named contact.
Hello café weekly support in first term for all new entrants, with multiple aims, including engendering a sense of belonging, support with making friends, and signposting to institutional support
Dedicated website
https://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/student-support/estranged-students/
Leeds Beckett University
Named contact
Sarah Baker at s.k.baker@leedsbeckett.ac.uk or +44 113812
Finance support
If you can provide evidence that you are irreconcilably estranged from your family, you may be able to apply for a bursary of up to £1,500 from our university and also access our Leeds Beckett Hardship Funds for every year of your course.
Accommodation support
If you are a estranged student and decide to stay in 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 our university are applicable for 365-day contracts.
Wellbeing support
We will continue to signpost estranged students to the support available through our Wellbeing Service, our Disability Advice Service and to the range of social and cultural events which take place outside regular term time. We will seek feedback from estranged students concerning how effective our services are to meet their specific needs going forward.
Outreach support
We pledge to raise greater awareness among college tutors and advisers of the support we provide.
Dedicated website
Employability
Ensure awareness of opportunities for part time work and placements.
Leeds College of Building
Named contact
Jennie Fawcett – 0113 2226002
Finance support
Students will have access to a range of support funds.
Accommodation support
Offers 365-day accommodation.
Wellbeing support
A Pastoral support team is able to offer help with student wellbeing.
Employability
Employability Advisors are available to help students find suitable work placements and assist with finding work.
Leeds Conservatoire
Named contact
Bethany Milner, Student Wellbeing Advisor – Access@leedsconservatoire.ac.uk
Financial support
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/
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
Employment support
Outreach support
Communicating support available through schools, colleges and website.
Graduation support
We will cover the cost of gown hire at Graduation for our estranged students.
Experiences on campus
If you are interested in having an in-person private campus tour to see our facilities you can complete our campus tour booking form: https://www.leedsconservatoire.ac.uk/visit-us/campus-tours/
Dedicated website
https://www.leedsconservatoire.ac.uk/student-life/student-support/estranged-students/
Support with transition to HE
Staff development
Training staff so they have knowledge and understanding to support estranged students.
Pledge commitment
Leading up to the closure of Stand Alone charity on 30 April 2024, Leeds Conservatoire re-affirmed our ongoing commitment through signing the Stand Alone Legacy Pledge.
University Centre Leeds
Named contact
Please contact our Admissions Team at admissions@ucleeds.ac.uk.
Financial support
To help support new students who are estranged from their families to start full time HE at UC Leeds we offer the following financial support: Bursary (up to £1000 awarded by UC Leeds); supporting the cost of interview travel and / or on-course materials (where applicable, up to 50% costs).
We will also provide advice to estranged students on what funding and associated benefits are available to them and support with applying for them.
Accommodation support
We will work to develop links with accommodation providers who will be flexible about the need for a guarantor. We don’t have our own accommodation and only signpost to student accommodation providers .
Wellbeing support
We will provide estranged students: designated support from the HE Counselling and Mental Health Officer and . or student counsellor; nominated support from the UC Leeds HE Welfare and Student Engagement Officer and / or a named contact from within the safeguarding team; buddying and / or mentoring schemes.
Outreach support
To help estranged students make informed decisions about their future, higher education and degree choices, and their HE application, we can offer: personalised tours; 1:1 application support; contextual admissions.
Graduation support
Students can request support for gown hire, photographs and travel costs.
Dedicated website
https://www.ucleeds.ac.uk/estranged-students/
Staff development
There will be continued dissemination to, and training of, appropriate staff working with estranged students, so that they have the knowledge and understanding to support and provide guidance.
Employment support
There is opportunity to discuss part-time work and graduate employment with the named contact who can refer students to the Careers Team.
Support with the transition to HE
Once a student applies with us, our named contact will be in touch to explain the support package available, offer an in-person meeting and tour of the campus.
Application support
We can assist potential applicants with the process and provide information regarding the support package to schools, colleges and the community
Rent guarantor
University Centre Leeds can act as a guarantor for your student accommodation agreements.
Leeds Trinity University
Named Contact
Applicants can contact Anjali Kataria (a.kataria@leedstrinity.ac.uk) for support with applying to Higher Education and help with the transition, including personal statements, UCAS applications, campus tours and meeting academic and support staff.
Students in receipt of our Estranged Students Bursary are allocated a named contact within our Student Support Team upon registration. The Student Support Team can be contacted on studentsupport@leedstrinity.ac.uk
We provide applicants and students with bespoke advice and support with the student finance process, our Estranged Students Bursary application and planning their budget for university from our Money Advice Team, who can be contacted on moneyadvice@leedstrinity.ac.uk
Finance Support
The Leeds Trinity Estranged Students Bursary provides eligible students with £1,000 financial support every year of their undergraduate course and a welcome voucher (up to £50) for university essentials. Undergraduate and Foundation Finance for UK Students – Leeds Trinity University
Estranged students are a priority group for the University Hardship Fund.
Accommodation Support
Estranged students are offered 365 day accommodation in our university owned halls of residence. Support is available with house hunting. Estranged applicants struggling to secure the deposit for Leeds Trinity Halls of Residence can chat to our Money Advice Team about support available (moneyadvice@leedstrinity.ac.uk)
Wellbeing Support
Whether a student is noticing past distress returning, or experiencing emotional difficulties for the first time, our team of qualified and experienced Counsellors, Cognitive Behavioural Therapists and Wellbeing practitioners can provide them with the support and space they need to explore and understand their difficulties – no matter how big or small they are Mental health and wellbeing – Leeds Trinity University
Outreach support
We aim to raise awareness among our schools and colleges contacts of the support we provide to estranged students and applicants. Our Schools and Colleges Engagement Team and the Office for Institutional Equity do a lot of activity with children and young people who are care experienced / estranged to help raise their aspirations of entering Higher Education.
Employability / Employment support
From day one, our Careers and Placements team will offer students a variety of services to help them become as employable as possible by the time they graduate.
Guiding them through the professional work placements they’ll complete as part of their degree, the team will help students plan their career, work with them on their job search and advise them on future study options.
Whether students start university with a clear idea of their career path, or they discover their next steps during their degree, our Career Passport is designed to help them record and showcase the employability skills developed throughout their time with us – providing them with a bank of evidence to use for job applications and interviews. Careers and employability – Leeds Trinity University
Graduation Cost support
Estranged Students may be eligible for free / reduced graduation gown hire.
University Centre Wakefield
Named contact
Carol McArthur, Safeguarding, C.McArthur@wakefield.ac.uk
Finance support
There is a possibility of additional financial support, this is assessed on a case to case basis.
For more information on any funding or money matter issues please contact the College’s Financial Support Team at student.finance@wakefield.ac.uk.
Wellbeing support
The Student Wellbeing Officers are here to help you if you feel overwhelmed either at College or by problems at home or you just need some support, whatever the reason, our Student Wellbeing Officers are here for you.
Our team work closely with students and other services both in College and outside of College.
This team support students for a wide range of needs, including confidence, low mood, managing emotions, healthy relationships, homelessness, bullying, problems at home and more. The team support via 1:1s, small groups, corridor chats and a variety of other drop-in opportunities, such as Wellbeing Wednesday, time to talk cafés, C-Card registrations and more.
Speak to the team in Student Central or get in touch StudentCentral@wakefield.ac.uk
Graduation cost support
There is a possibility of additional financial support, this is assessed on a case to case basis.
Case Studies
Hear estranged students tell their stories about how they transitioned into higher education students, and their experiences once they got there.
Useful Links
Stand Alone Pledge
Find out more