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Attending and co-presenting at the NNECL 2024 Conference
This month we co-presented at the National Network for Education Care Leavers (NNECL) conference, which was held at De Montford University.
The theme for this year’s event was Learning Together, which informed the session we delivered with North East Raising Aspiration Partnership about collaborating to support students with care-experience in HE.
Other presenters included Ryan Henson (Social Mobility Commissioner) and Ellie Rowley (Fair Access and Programme Lead, UCAS). |
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Reflections on Virtual School Leaders Conference and Exhibition 2024
We recently attended the Virtual School Leaders Conference and Exhibition.
The event included a presentation from Paul Dix, who gave highlights from his book ‘When the Adults Change, Everything Changes: Seismic Shifts in School Behaviour’. Delegates were then led through workshops that considered how they could bring this knowledge directly into their own practice in school.
The event led to some interesting conversations on supporting care-experienced students from a range of perspectives. |
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Closure of Stand Alone and celebration event
We are saddened to learn about the closure of Stand Alone, the country's leading charity that supports people who are estranged from their family or a key family member. We have engaged with them over a number of years to push our local agenda for estranged students, and are committed to continuing this work.
We will be presenting at the sold-out Pass the Baton event on 21 March, which will celebrate the charity's achievements and hand over the baton to its partners in FE and HE to continue to advocate for estranged students and drive further change. |
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The stigma around family estrangement: Finding validation in the right places
Dr Becca Bland, the founder of Stand Alone charity, writes about the stigma around family estrangement. She talks about the importance of taking control of your own narrative as an estranged individual, so that the opinion of other people no longer has the power to destabilise or hurt.
In reaching this state of self-acceptance, it is possible to establish healthy boundaries when it comes to family relationships. |
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Learn from Care to Go Higher |
We have been running our innovative Care to Go Higher CPD programme for the key influencers of care-experienced young people since 2019. In this series of articles, we share some of the information from it that focuses on educational support. |
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Deciding what to study at HE
There are a lot of things to consider when deciding which course to study. Many young people discuss their options with family members or friends who have experience of HE, but this might be possible for care-experienced individuals.
We consider some important criteria to consider, including time commitments, the learning style of courses, and enjoyment in the subect. |
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Upcoming CPD opportunities |
Many care-experienced students also have additional support needs, such as a disability or being from a minority ethnicity. These free sessions provide a broader understanding of these lived experiences and ways in which to engage with young people. |
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Self-paced learning
We offer a range of opportunities to upskill and build confidence for individuals who support young people with their educational progression.
Our opportunities align with the academic year, covering topics such as preparing students for admissions interviews, equipping them with current knowledge on apprenticeships, clearing and student finance.
We also offer sessions that focus on personal and professional development, such as mentoring skills and presentation skills. |
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Register
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Upcoming Higher Education (HE) events
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. |
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Support for care leavers and estranged students
When: Tuesday, 16 April from 5-6pm
Where: Online
Join University Centre Leeds for an online information session specifically catered to care leavers and estranged students who are looking to start studying in HE.
The talk will cover the application process and student finance for care leavers and estranged students. It will also cover some of the additional support that the Centre's students receive such as the care leavers bursary. |
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Open day
When: Friday, 21 June from 9.30am-3pm
Where: University of Huddersfield Visiting the campus is a great chance for your young person to talk to staff and current students, as well as look at the facilities and see the place in action.
To make the event as accessible as possible, the University is offering a contribution of up to £75 towards the travel costs for your young person. They will receive an email after the Open Day with a link to a secure form to fill out to claim their reimbursement. |
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We recognise ‘care experience’ as a protected characteristic
Councillors have formally agreed that being care experienced will become a protected characteristic in Kirklees.
The move formally recognises that experience of being in the care system can lead to similar barriers to those faced by other groups with protected characteristics.
The needs of care experienced young people will be central to all council decision making.. |
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ICO calls for people to share experiences accessing care records as it vows to improve support
The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has called on people with experience of the care system to share the challenges they have faced when accessing their care records from organisations.
It is committing to improve the support it provides to both people who grew up in the care system in the UK and the organisations that hold their information. |
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Kirkstall Brewery student residences could house care leavers and homeless families
A Leeds City Council report has proposed transforming three empty student halls of residence at the former Kirkstall Brewery site in Leeds into accommodation to house young adult care leavers aged 18 and above and homeless families.
If approved, the scheme would offer 66 beds to house care leavers, aged 18 plus who are currently in education or training. |
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Support offered to care-experienced young people by our members |
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Our spotlight features highlight what support most of 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.
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Useful GHWY resources
Take a look at some of our free resources, which can be used to support care-experienced and estanged young people to make informed decisions about their future.
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Collaborative Care Leaver Covenant
Our 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. |
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Resource pack for professionals and carers
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.
Email us at GHWY@leeds.ac.uk to receive a copy of the pack.
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Collaborative Stand Alone Pledge
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 is available on our website that includes further support details. |
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Resources bank
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. |
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Go Higher West Yorkshire: reducing inequalities in access to, success in and progression from Higher Education.
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