Resources
Transforming Access and Student Outcomes in Higher Education (TASO) Evidence Review
Learners with experience of children’s social care (CSC-experienced learners) need more effective support to access and succeed in higher education, according to a new TASO report.
Role models video - Care experienced students
The video features care experienced students from different universities offering impartial advice and insight for younger care experienced people who are considering their future study options and opportunities - developed by Sussex Learning Network (part of the Uni Connect programme) in collaboration with NNECL (October 2020). Find out more on the Sussex Learning Network website
Supporting higher education participation for care leavers and other care-experienced young people
A short slideshow produced by the Rees Centre's Dr Neil Harrison summarising the seven steps that are needed to increase the number of care leavers and other care-experienced young people entering higher education in England.
Reports and guidance
- Greater Manchester Higher (part of the Uni Connect programme): Care Experienced Consultation report (July 2020)
The consultation surveyed 20 care leaver students studying at various universities in Greater Manchester. The report provides valuable insights into the students' thoughts and feelings about the transition from pre-16 to post-16 study. Also included are key recommendations to consider when developing an approach to supporting care experienced young people.
- Office for Students: Differences in student outcomes: further characteristics (June 2020)
This report explores the impact of care experience on outcomes in higher education.
- Office for Students: Coronavirus briefing note: students without family support (May 2020)
This briefing note looks at the practical steps universities and colleges are taking to help students without family support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and beyond.
- Office for Students: Coronavirus case studies and resources: students without family support (May 2020)
These case studies describe some of the ideas and practices that universities and colleges have put in place to respond quickly to the needs of students without parental support during the coronavirus pandemic.
- National Network for the Education of Care Leavers: Moving on up (November 2017)
This study provides an overall picture of the educational pathways of care leavers, supplemented by survey responses from 212 care experienced students in higher education.
- Centre for Social Justice: 12 by 24 (2019)
This publication considers care leaver participation in higher education and sets out recommendations for providers to improve it.
- The Leverhulme Trust: Pathways project findings report (2019)
This report explores the barriers care experienced students face in accessing university, and the support that helps them succeed.
- Unite Foundation: Positive impact report (2020)
This report explores the factors affecting access, retention and graduate outcomes for university students with a background of care or family estrangement.
- Department for Education: National statistics: Children looked after in England including adoption: 2018 to 2019 (2020)
These statistics provide information on looked-after children at both national and local authority levels for the financial year 2018-19.
- Office for Fair Access (OFFA): Topic briefing on care leavers (December 2017)
This briefing gave an overview of the challenges and evidence around access, success and progression for care experienced students. It also highlighted best practice examples of how universities and colleges are working to support care leavers.
Organisations
- National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL)
NNECL is a network of higher education providers and national organisations committed to the progression and support of care leavers in higher education.
- Rees Foundation Charity
The Rees Foundation is a registered charity to support care leavers and care experienced individuals and communities across the UK.
- Become
Become is a charity that provides advice, support and opportunities for care experienced children and young people.
- Propel
Propel provides care leavers with information on the support available to them from colleges and universities offering higher education courses across the UK.
- Buttle UK
Buttle UK provides grants and support to vulnerable young people.
