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University support for care leavers. Natasha Finlayson, Chief Executive The Who Cares? Trust. 4 th May 2012. Open Doors, Open Minds.
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University support for care leavers Natasha Finlayson, Chief Executive The Who Cares? Trust 4th May 2012
Open Doors, Open Minds • The Who Cares? Trust was funded by Cloth Workers Foundation to produce a guide to FE and HE for looked-after children and care leavers and a research report into the barriers they face. • We conducted survey of young people and professionals which suggested that many of them didn’t have enough information about universities • Part of the research included an analysis of all the Access Agreements for English universities
The H.E. Handbook • So The Who Cares? Trust compiled details of the support which English universities offer to care leavers • We have funding for this for two more years • Available free online – www.thewhocarestrust.org.uk/hehandbook • We analysed the responses to compare the offer across different universities
Next steps • Guide to FE and HE on sale now. • The H.E. Handbook planning for 2013/14 edition • The Who Cares? Trust published report into barriers to progression in education for looked-after children and care leavers • www.thewhocarestrust.org.uk/pages/open-doors-open-minds.html
Making it better – recommendations for change • Better information for care leavers and professionals. • OFFA publishes clear information on care leavers and the support which may be appropriate in guidance for universities on Access Agreements for 2013/14. • Tracking data better so we can see the impact of the work institutions and councils are doing to promote access to education for care leavers. • Greater collaboration and sharing of best practice