Support for Care Leavers
A care leaver is a person who has been in care for at least 13 weeks since the age of 14, including some point at the age of 16-17, and is under the age of 25. Most institutions offer support for care leavers, but some institutions also offer support to ‘care-experienced’ students, which is broader than the definition of a care leaver.
Please find below information to help support your journey into higher education.
This information was last updated in August 2021.
University Information
Named contact pre-entry: Emma Lewis-Kalubowila – ELK@manchester.ac.uk
Named contact post-entry: Student Support & Advice Team for care leavers/ care experienced students – careleavers@manchester.ac.uk
The University of Manchester Admissions Guidelines
The University of Manchester Contextual Admissions
The University of Manchester Financial Support and Bursaries
Named contact: Pre-entry (events & visits) Ivan Hay – i.hay@mmu.ac.uk
Name Contact: Pre-entry (information & admissions) Louise Robinson- L.Robinson@mmu.ac.uk
Manchester Met Care Leavers Bursary
Manchester Met accommodation team
Named contact pre-entry: Carl Gleeson – c.gleeson@salford.ac.uk
Named contact post-entry: Jane, Louisa, Jo & Liam- Careleaver@salford.ac.uk
University of Salford Care Leavers Support
University of Salford Care Leavers Bursary
University of Salford Care Leavers FAQs
University of Salford Accommodation Team
Named contact: Danielle Mannion – d.mannion@bolton.ac.uk
Additional contact: careexperience@bolton.ac.uk
University of Bolton Care Leavers Bursary
University of Bolton Care Leavers Support
University of Bolton Accommodation Team
Additional Resources
GM Higher Care Leaver Consultation 2020 – review of the pre-entry support and aspirations interventions care experienced students receive to determine what work still needs to be done to improve progression experiences:
gmhigher.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/Care-Leaver-Consultation-report.pdf
Propel – impartial information about provision for care leavers at all UK higher education providers, including named contact:
The UNITE Foundation Scholarship – national accommodation scholarship scheme for care leavers and estranged students:
unitefoundation.co.uk/get-a-scholarship/
NNECL – working together to transform the progression of young people in or leaving care into and through further and higher education:
UCAS – specific Information, Advice and Guidance for care leavers or looked after children thinking about higher education:
ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/individual-needs/ucas-undergraduate-support-care-leavers
Learning and Work Institute – resources aimed at supporting care leavers to access education, employment and training – including ‘Top Tips’ for Foster Carers:
learningandwork.org.uk/what-we-do/social-justice-inclusion/care-leavers/
Student Loans Company – research to repay for care leavers
gmhigher.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/SFE_CARELEAVER_LEAFLET_2021_1.3_ONLINE.pdf
Coram Voice – Sorted and Supported – your guide to Leaving Care Entitlements:
https://coramvoice.org.uk/sites/default/files/Sorted%20Supported_Full.pdf
Manchester Rising Star Fund– A fund supporting talented 16-24 years olds reach their potential by funding vital equipment, training and resources:
welovemcrcharity.org/rising-stars-fund
Supporting the Supporters 2020 – a joint information day delivered by Higher Education providers in Greater Manchester, offering the opportunity to find out more about university and the support available for young people. Event resources:
HE Uncovered https://gmhigher.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/HE-Uncovered.pdf
Making Careers Advice work https://gmhigher.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Making-Careers-Advice-work-002.pdf
Making Careers Advice Work https://gmhigher.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Making-Careers-Advice-Work.pdf
Manchester LA Support https://gmhigher.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Manchester-LA-Support.pdf
University Support Services https://gmhigher.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/University-Support-Services.pdf