Welcome to February's issue of GHWY's Care to Go Higher newsletter.
In recognition of National Apprenticeship Week, we promote a fantastic apprenticeship guide that has been created specifically for care experienced young people. We also bring you some of the key findings from our evaluation report into last year's Care to Go Higher CPD programme, which some of you will have attended.
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.
Individuals who attended the third iteration of our Care to Go Higher CPD programme reported a 173% increase in their confidence to identify and dispel common myths about HE.
This is one of the key findings in our latest report about the programme, which is aimed at the key influencers of care-experienced young people.
The report also highlights what was successful, what could be changed, and some of the future plans for the programme. This includes possible changes to the format and delivery methods in order to make it more accessible and to reach a wider audience.
We recently had a blog published on the UCAS website that raises awareness of our collaborative Stand Alone Pledge.
The e-resource, which is refreshed annually, is a ‘one-stop-shop' that makes it easier for estranged young people to find out what support is available across our 13 members. It covers getting into HE, succeeding in HE, and progressing into employment or further study after HE.
The blog, which is aimed at the young people themselves, provides an overview of the user-friendly and informative resource.
An updated guide to apprenticeships that is aimed at care experienced young people has been launched to mark National Apprenticeship Week, which ran between 6-12 February.
Amazing Apprenticeships' free, downloadable guide contains concise and clear information about apprenticeships and what help is available for individuals who are considering an apprenticeship, including financial assistance.
What Works for Children's Social Care has published a report that focuses on outcomes of Black children in care, specifically reunification, placement stability, mental and physical health, and educational outcomes.
It highlights a lack of evidence on outcomes in these areas. Where research was available, the existing research suggests that Black children in care fare similarly or better than White children in care when looking at health and educational outcomes. However, the individual findings should be carefully considered in light of the low strength evidence.
We know there can be an intersection between care-experience and other under-represented groups, such as disability and minority ethnicities. These free sessions provide a broader understanding of these lived experiences and ways in which to engage with young people.
When: Tuesday, 14 March between 3-4.30pm Where: Online Who: GHWY
Schools have grappled with the most significant barriers to white working-class boys' academic success for decades: an apparent lack of motivation to succeed, seemingly low aspirations and a reluctance to study for assessments and exams. In this session, teacher and researcher Mark Roberts will consider teacher expectations, engagement strategies, motivation and study skills, providing practical suggestions to help those working in schools, HE and student outreach to tackle ‘The Boy Question’.
When: Wednesday, 22 March between 3-4.30pm Where: Online Who: GHWY
Delivered by Shames Maskeen (Leeds Trinity University), the session will explore ways HE institutions can ensure their outreach and recruitment strategies are inclusive of the lived experiences of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students. It will draw upon three studies as part of a PhD that explore the barriers and facilitators towards the participation of the Pakistanis and Bangladeshis in HE, as well as the work of Leeds Trinity University’s Race Equality Chartermark.
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.
When: Wednesday, 21 June between 11am-1pm Where: Blenheim Walk, Leeds Who: Leeds Arts University
Attend up to two course talks of your choice, tour the University's facilities and visit its accommodation. Tutors, student ambassadors and support staff will also be available to answer any questions.
When: Wednesday, 22 February between 5-7pm Where: Wakefield city centre Who: Wakefield College
Find out more about the College's courses, talk to the tutors and take a tour of its facilities. The event will cover options for school leavers, including T Levels and Apprenticeships, higher education and options for adults.
More than 150,000 young people in the UK are currently estranged from their parents, according to new research by children's charity Buttle UK.
They are left with little or no support from parents or carers, and due to overstretched services being put under even more strain by a backlog of cases since the pandemic, are finding it even harder to access help.
Profile on 'Ellie', who opted to move from a foster home into a hostel when she turned 18. She hoped to find independence but now deeply regrets the decision.
She found herself living next to an alcoholic, unwittingly befriending a sex offender whose past was hidden from her, and was offered cash to store drugs in her room.
Support offered to care-experienced young people by our members
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 'what support we offer' 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.
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.
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.
Our free 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.
Our collaborative Stand Alone Pledge includes information about what our 13 members offer to estranged young people, along with useful tips and links. Additional information will be added to our website soon to include further support details.
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.
