Care Experienced

NOt Feeling great?

Wellbeing support in Leeds

We all have times when things feel particularly tough. If you are care experienced you have priority access to the college wellbeing team. However, if you would prefer to find support yourself, there are a range of links here

Applying to University

If you are thinking about applying to Higher Education (HE), then Propel is a fully serachable website for care leavers. It provides information on the support available to you at colleges and universities across the UK. 

Find out: 

• whether 365-day accommodation is available

• what bursaries and grants are on offer

• the help and support care leavers can expect

• the contact details of specific contacts to get in touch with at each institution

Website: https://propel.org.uk/UK/

Go Higher West Yorkshire 

If you would like information and practical advice on going to university, Go Higher West Yorkshire has lots of resources on its website, as well as specific information for care experienced students. 

Widening Participation to Higher Education

The following HE providers have opportunities for care experienced young people who are wanting to progress onto university.

For year 12 students:

• Progression Module (Leeds Beckett University)

• Reach for Excellence (University of Leeds)

• Realising Opportunities (Russell Group Partner Universities)

• Social Mobility Foundation (Aspiration Raising Activities)

• The Sutton Trust (Aspiration Raising Programme)

Contextualised Admissions

For students applying to university, the following local HE providers have offers for care experienced students, please see each scheme for eligibility criteria. You should check to see if any of the universities you have applied to have their own contextualised admissions offer.

• Access to Leeds (University of Leeds)

• Progression Scheme (University of Bradford)

• Headstart Huddersfield (University of Huddersfield)

• Leeds Arts University

• Leeds Conservatoire

• Leeds City College University Centre

UNITE FOUNDATION SCHOLARSHIP

Covers accommodation and bills for up to 3 years of study, including the holidays.

You can apply for the scholarship if you’re:

• 25 or under

• A statutory care leaver, care experienced (Scotland), or estranged from your family

• Starting or studying your first undergraduate degree

• Eligible for UK home fee status

• Applying to one of the Unite Foundation’s partner universities

For more information: https://thisisusatuni.org/unite-foundation-scholarship/ 

SANTANDER SCHOLARSHIPS

Applicants must self-identify as part of (at least) 1 of the 10 following underrepresented groups:

• Students from areas of low higher education participation, low household income or low socioeconomic status

• Black, Asian and minority ethnic students

• Mature students

• Disabled students

• Care experienced students

• Carers

• Students estranged from their families

• Students from Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities

• Refugees

• Students from military families

For more information: https://app.becas-santander.com/en/program/santander-scholarships-skills-santander-universities-scholars-programme 

QUINLAN SCHOLARSHIP

• UK care-experienced: having spent at least 13 weeks in care in the UK at any time between birth and 18 years old

• Have an offer for a UK university full-time undergraduate degree course in a social sciences or humanities subject

• Will commence studying in the autumn of the year of application

• https://www.thescholarshiphub.org.uk/quinlan-scholarship/ 

Become

Become is a charity which supports care experienced young people. They can offer information about your rights and have an advice line if you need any help and support.

Visit: https://www.becomecharity.org.uk/ 

IMO

IMO is a voice for teenagers in care and care leavers. There's lots of articles and advice available on their website.

Visit: https://imohub.org.uk