Best Practice for Supporting Care Leavers in Further and Higher Education Anna Mepstead and Tanya Perkins - Specialist Advisers, University for the Creative Arts Janet Pearson - LAC and YOS Officer, East Kent College

Background UCA and EKC: Were involved in the pilot for the FE Buttle Quality Mark and hold the Mark for their FE provision, UCA also hold for HE provision. Have been involved in work to improve outcomes for young people through Kent and Medway Aimhigher and more recently through CLPP over the last ten years

How does the DMS role work? Objective is to identify students at the earliest point and to encourage disclosure-through applications, Open Days, Interviews, Website, contact with outside agencies and other institution departments, and promoting specific financial packages. Offering visits to campus before course starts. To ensure that all University staff are aware of the DMS role and additional issues that young people leaving care can face Key is to ensure one main point of contact from before a student starts their course to after graduation-someone they can approach and build a relationship with and have their confidence respected. We want our students to achieve their full potential during their time at College or University.

The role of the DMS is to provide seamless support before, during and at completion of studies. Key transition periods may require a higher level of support: Before course starts Moving from FE to HE End of studies/moving into employment – withdrawal of support from Institution and 16+ Team Changes in support, e.g. moving from Social Worker to 16+ Team

Do The Needs of FE and HE Students Differ? Essentially needs are similar. However: With FE there is arguably more opportunity for contact with students through Foster Carers, Support Workers, Teachers etc. HE students tend to be more independent, living away from home local authority and perhaps more limited contact with support services HE students more likely to need 365 days accommodation

Case Studies Take 10 mins to talk through your case and decide what the DMS role could do to try and resolve the situation for that student

Questions?