How to make friends and integrate people: Care leavers in HE Are widening participation teams doing enough? ‘Spark your imagination’

Nina Farr -Student Access Co-ordinator -PhD research: What is the role of the WP practitioner in supporting care leavers entering HE?

The Frank Buttle Quality Mark for Care Leavers What are universities being asked to do? Outreach and guidance Support through the application process Structured support by the university thereafter

Anonymity doesn’t mean being ignored Creating a home helps young people establish good health and well-being Feeling confident and making friends promotes success Young people want CHOICE and CONTROL over accessing services Continuity of care creates security What do we know about care leavers from social work research?

What do we know from widening participation research? Risk factors do not happen in isolation A holistic approach to research is necessary Longitudinal research is more effective

Not parents, not friends Recognising difficulties, promoting services Facilitating relationships –Multi-agency working –Enabling carer’s participation too Mentoring care experienced students –In the university –In the local community Applying it to WP in practice

Solent’s project plan –Mentoring –Educating –Welcoming A plan of action

Who’s in charge? –Managing the many voices in care Who are we working with? –Self-identification, and opting out –Avoiding stigma, and being ‘singled out’ Predicting the pitfalls

Thank you for your participation. Delegates are welcome to raise questions and make suggestions from their experience in this field Questions and suggestions?