GHWY Beyond Care Network No.12: In conversation with Care Leaver Support

Welcome to July's edition of Go Higher West Yorkshire's Care to Go Higher Newsletter. We aim to connect those working with care experienced young people across the region to Higher Education (HE) through regular monthly news, events and updates.

In this issue we highlight support that is offered to care leavers by Leeds Arts University and Leeds Beckett University.

We will be taking a break in August but will be back in September. In the meantime, we wish everyone a pleasant summer.

As always, we're looking for news stories, resources or upcoming events to promote. If you have anything to share from your institution then please get in touch with Susan Darlington .

News

In conversation with Leeds Arts University's care leaver support
Martell Baines, Leeds Arts University's Progression Manager, talks to Anne-Marie Watkinson, the University's nominated Care Leaver Support, about her role.

Issues discussed include what support is offered to care-experienced students while they are studying at the University, what financial support they can access, and details of the 365-day halls accommodation that is available.

Read more.

Report looks at educational and employment outcomes of looked-after children

A new Department for Education report, "Post-16 educational and employment outcomes of children in need", looks at post-16 education and labour market activities, and outcomes, of looked-after children.

Children who were looked-after had far lower levels of participation in post-16 education and the labour market, compared to their peers. Only 12% ever go into HE, and those that do are less likely to have favourable outcomes.

Read the report.

Upcoming higher education events

Undergraduate open daysWhen: VariousWhere: Campus and online
Who: University of Huddersfield

Open Days offer a great opportunity to talk to staff and current students from the course young people are interested in. If they are visiting campus, there will be a chance to look at the facilities and get a feel for where they could be studying.

Any care experienced young people that wish to attend can contact Ruth Cohen for support.

Further information and register for a place.

Make your personal statement stand outWhen: Thursday, 21 July between 4.30-5.30pmWhere: Online
Who: University of Bradford

The webinar will explore how to get insight into an individual's chosen career, and how young people can gain relevant work experience to detail in their personal statement.

It is being run as part of a programme to support applicants whose circumstances mean they could be less likely to receive an offer based on the University's standard entry criteria.

Further information and register for a place.

Spotlight on Leeds Beckett University

Accommodation support

We guarantee accommodation for 365 days a year to care leavers. This is in addition to the bursaries and schemes available to help with the costs of accommodation, such as our accommodation deposit waiver.

Read more.

Support through the student life-cycle

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

Read more.

Care leavers and estranged students bursary

The bursary is intended to assist students under the age of 25 who are leaving care to attend university or who have been living independently since leaving care.

Read more.

Virtual campus tour

Enjoy a virtual tour of our city campus, including all the main student buildings. Other videos and student vlogs showing the campus are also available.

Watch video.

Latest HE sector updates

Wales basic income: Pilot will give care leavers £19,000 a year

On 1 July the Welsh government launched a £20m experiment offering a basic income to young people leaving care.

As part of the pilot, about 500 18-year-olds will receive £19,200 a year before tax. Officials plan to analyse the scheme to see if the money can help the youngsters settle into independent living.

Actor Michael Sheen talks about his BBC Wales documentary 'Lifting the lid on the care system', which is available to watch now on iPlayer.

He notes that teenagers are still being placed in B&Bs and hostels, six years after the Welsh government said it wanted to "eliminate" the practice.

Read more.

Focus on undergraduate personal statements

How to write a UCAS undergraduate personal statement

The personal statement is an important part of an UCAS application. Follow these tips.

Read more.

Subject specific personal statement guides

Which? personal statement guides that will help young people write personal statements that stand out. Read more.

Writing your personal statement

Tips from Leeds Trinity University on how to write a strong personal statement.

Read more.

Standing items

View the GHWY Care Leaver Covenant

All 13 HE partners have signed up to the GHWY Care Leaver Covenant, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to this group.

View the Covenant

Download our resource pack here

GHWY has created a resource pack on higher education that is available for those working with children in care.

Register for the pack

Click here to subscribe to this newsletter

Click here to see our Care Leaver work and previous articles