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Welcome to September's issue of GHWY's Care to Go Higher newsletter. We hope you all had a good summer.

In this issue we reflect on the success and future developments of our Care to Go Higher CPD programme. We also celebrate the achievement of care leavers with a student story from the University of Bradford and blog about the recent graduatation ceremony at the University of Huddersfield.

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

News

Positive feedback for Care to Go Higher CPD programme

The third iteration of our CPD programme for key influencers of young people in care, which ran between March to July 2022, was a huge success and received excellent feedback throughout.

Some highlights from participant feedback included huge increases in understanding, with a rise of 172% in the category of “I can identify and dispel common myths about HE”.

Read more.

Care leaver story

Aimee, who is studying Criminology and Criminal Behaviour at the University of Bradford, discusses her HE journey and the support she has received from the Care Experienced Team.

She looks at what made her choose her university course, how she overcame setbacks and developed confidence as a Care Leaver Student Ambassador, and offers tips to other care experienced young people.

Read more.

Care leavers graduate from University of Huddersfield

Care Experienced and Estranged Students were among those who graduated with top awards from the University of Huddersfield between 11-22 July.

Ruth Cohen, the University's Schools and College Liaison Officer, writes about the graduation ceremony and what support is offered to students. This includes paying for graduation costs, meeting individuals on the day, and giving them a small gift as a memento of their achievements.

Read more.

Tick the box campaign for care experienced young people

The Fostering Network has launched a campaign to encourage young people to tick the care experienced box on their UCAS application. This means their applications can be processed fairly and they can access the right support.

The organisation is working with young people, UCAS, universities and colleges on the campaign. It will be supported by a week of online activity between 26-30 September. We will be running our own campaign on Twitter; please like and share our posts!

Read more and get involved.

Upcoming Higher Education (HE) events

HE events can help young people to plan the next steps on their educational journey. They offer an opportunity to visit campuses, talk to staff and current students, and learn more about what courses are available. They are free, with in-person as well as online options usually available.

Undergraduate open days

When: Various (September-November)
Where: 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.

Bespoke visits are also available to care experienced young people alongside the advertised open days. Contact Ruth Cohen for further information.

Further information and register for a place.

Open event

When: Thursday, 20 October
Where: North Street campus, Leeds
Who: Leeds College of Building

A chance to see the College in action, meet the team, tour the workshops, speak to students, learn more about the courses on offer, and see the resources and facilities that are available.

Staff will be on hand to anwer questions about inclusive learning support (in class support), student support (student bursaries, how to apply), and different course areas (including apprenticeships)

Further information and register for a place.

Latest HE sector updates

Kit Malthouse appointed education secretary

Kit Malthouse has been appointed education secretary by new Prime Minister Liz Truss. The MP becomes the fourth person to hold the role in just over two months.

He was educated at Sudley County Primary School and Liverpool College, before studying politics and economics at Newcastle University.

Read 12 facts about the new education secretary.

Spotlight feature

Our spotlight features highlight what support our 13 member institutions offer to care experienced young people. They detail care leaver contacts, financial support, and bespoke campus tours among other things.

Each feature is regularly updated to ensure that content is up to date, which makes them a valuable resource when guiding your young people through their HE journey.

Find out more.

Useful resources

Take a look at some of our free resources, which can be used to support care leavers and estanged young people to make informed decisions about their future.

View the GHWY Care Leaver Covenant

GHWY's collaborative Care Leaver Covenant includes information about what our 13 members offer to care leavers, along with useful tips and links. It is reviewed every year to ensure that its information is kept relevant, with addtional details being available online.

View the Covenant

Resource pack for professionals and carers

Our resources pack is designed to help you support care experienced young people to make informed choices about their educational future. It will encourage you reflect on your own role as someone with influence and provide tips and activities to get the conversation going with young people.

Register for the pack

Read GHWY's Stand Alone Pledge

Our collaborative Stand Alone Pledge includes information about what our 13 members offer to estranged young people, along with useful tips and links. The document will be refreshed this autumn to include additional information.

View the Pledge.

Resources bank

Our resource bank holds a wide range of free and informative materials for various audiences to access. There includes sections on wellbeing in education, employability essentials, online taster days, and useful links.

Find out more.

Go Higher West Yorkshire: reducing inequalities in access to, success in and progression from Higher Education.