Welcome to April's issue of GHWY's Care to Go Higher newsletter.
We're pleased to announce that our Care to Go Higher CPD programme is now open for registration. Due to growing demand, it is now being offered nation-wide to the key influencers of care-experienced young people. if you've yet to attend the free training, read more below and consider signing-up for it. And if you've already taken part, please do help us to spread the word throughout your networks!
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.
Contents
Click on the title to be taken to the relevant section.
Registration has opened for our innovative Care to Go Higher training programme. Aimed at the key influencers of care-experienced young people, it empowers you to support students to make informed decisions about Higher Education (HE).
Due to growing demand, the free programme is being offered nation-wide for the first time. It is open to anyone who supports care-experienced young people, including foster carers and children’s home workers.
The CPD will run between June and July 2023, and consists of six two-hour sessions. It will include guest speakers providing their own personal or expert knowledge on the subject matter.
We are marking Care Experienced History Month with a celebration of care-experienced characters in film history. Some of these are fictional, and some are based on true stories.
Each Thursday in April we will be sharing information about the characters on Twitter.
We have already posted stories about the Pevensie children, from the Chronicles of Narnia, and the biographical sports drama film The Blind Side, which tells the story of Michael Oher.
The annual History Month, which started in 2021, is dedicated to understanding and learning the history of the care-experienced community around the world.
We know that many students who are care-experienced also belong to 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.
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, 28 June between 5-7pm Where: Engineering Centre and Process Manufacturing Centre Who: Kirklees College
If your young person is interested in a career in engineering, this free open day will provide information in the following curriculum areas: Engineering; Fabrication and Welding; Motor Vehicle; and Process Manufacturing (apprenticeships only).
When: Monday, 24 April between 12-12.45pm Where: Quarry Hill Who: Leeds Conservatoire
A free classical recital from students currently on the Conservatoire's classical programme. The performance could help to inspire your young person and show them what is possible, if they are interested in pursuing a career in music. No booking necessary.
According to university admissions service Ucas, prospective students are attending fewer university open days when researching where to study due to rising living costs.
Care leavers starting an apprenticeship from this August will receive a £3,000 bursary – triple the amount that is currently on offer. Almost 1,250 such bursaries have been paid to young people since the scheme started in 2018.
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.
