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.

care experienced support table

University Information

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

 

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:

propel.org.uk

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:

nnecl.org/

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