Are you a care leaver, care experienced, estranged, have experience of supported foyer accommodation, or in kinship care? If so, there is a great deal of support available to you at Edge Hill University.
We know that starting university and maybe moving to a new place can be exciting, but also feel like a big change. You might have questions about everything you need to do before you get here, and once you get here. We’ve got a Student Support Team at Edge Hill to support you through your journey as a CEES student.
You may also wish to access support to help you navigate the challenges that come with university life, connecting you to support and services to help you succeed.
If you’ve got some questions or you’re after some extra support, drop the team an email at [email protected].
Supporting you
The Student Support Team
The Student Support Team are on hand to support you. At Edge Hill we’ll be here to support you from the very start of your studies or apprenticeship programme. You can even access support before you get here. There’s also pastoral support available whilst you’re here.
If you are struggling or need additional support from our Wellbeing or Money Advice Teams, we’ll connect you with them for extra support.
You can also make use of our Careers service to help get you on the right tracks for jobs after you graduate.
The Careers team
When you study with us, you’ll have access to our Careers Team. You can chat to the team about employability opportunities during and after your studies. And the support doesn’t stop after your graduate. You can keep in touch with the team for three years after you graduate.
As a care experienced or estranged student, you are part of the widening participation group. This means you get access to ‘Get Ahead’ appointments with the Careers Team. In these appointments you can:
get the support you need to help you reach your goals
get support writing your CV
get support making job applications
chat about anything careers related
‘Get Ahead’ appointments are 30 minutes long and will be with your dedicated Employment Adviser Georgina Butler. Georgina will also support you in accessing additional guidance from a Careers Adviser when needed.
This appointment type is available to students who are identified in the University’s Access and Participation Plan. If you feel that you should be able to book one of these appointments but can’t, please submit an ‘Ask a Question’.
The Student Support Fund
Don’t struggle in silence. If you’re ever financially struggling and are worried you can’t afford to stay at university, there’s a Student Support Fund on offer for eligible students. The fund offers non-repayable awards and emergency support for students in financial difficulty.
Statutory care leavers are young people aged 16-25 years old who have been in the care of the Local Authority for a period of 13 weeks or more spanning their 16th birthday.
Care experienced students are those who have spent time in care during childhood. Often, young people will not be classed as care leavers because they left care (for example, through adoption or returning to their family) before their 16th birthday.
Estranged students are young people who have no communicative relationship with their biological parents. Often, they do not have contact with their wider family networks.
Foyer students are people between the ages of 16-25 who have accessed Foyer or other Supported Housing Organisations due to homelessness or the risk of becoming homeless.
Kinship care students are people who have spent short or long periods of time being cared for by other relatives, like grandparents, uncles or siblings, or by other adults who have a connection to the child, such as neighbours or a close friend of the family.
Support available to you
There is a range of support available to you at Edge Hill. Take a look at the links below for more information.
Finances
Care Leavers Bursary
If you are a UK care leaver student joining either a full-time or part-time programme (Undergraduate, master’s degree, MRes programme or MBA) at Edge Hill University and are aged under 25 at the start of your course, you may be eligible for a Care Leavers Bursary 2023/24 worth either £1,000 per academic year (£500 per annum for part-time students). Please check the Care Leavers Bursary Procedures and Regulations 2023/24.
Eligible students will need to provide evidence of a minimum of 13 weeks spent in Local Authority care since the age of 14 (usually in the form of a letter from the Local Authority/support organisation).
The bursary is also open to students who are living in Foyer/supported housing, providing you are under the age of 25 at the start of your course.
The bursary is paid six months after enrolment, directly into your account via Student Finance. For example, if you enrol in September 2023, you can expect a payment in February 2024 following successful completion of the application process.
If you are care experienced but do not meet some of the eligibility as outlined above, you are encouraged to seek support from the Student Support Team, who will work with you to assess your needs.
Estranged students can access help through the Money Advice Team to explore independent status with the Student Loans Company. The Student Support Team can support you with this process and can connect you to our Money Advice Team who will provide you with further information about eligibility.
You can find out more via our Money Advice Team, Stand Alone and SFE for more information and details of how to apply.
If you’re struggling or need some guidance, the Student Support Team can work with you to offer support. We’re here to help you to make the most of your time at university and complete your course successfully.
Students who are care leavers, care experienced, or estranged can request a contract for a room in University halls of residence, available 365 days a year for a full three year course.
Starting university and moving into your halls is an exciting time, but you might feel there’s also a lot to tackle. If you have any questions about your move or settling into university, we’re on hand to support you. You can meet with the Student Support Team and your personal adviser, support worker or supporter, and ask any questions you might have.
If you’ve got any further questions, just get in touch with the team at [email protected].
Living off campus
You don’t need to live in halls to get extra support. If you are moving somewhere off campus, we can help you in your search for accommodation. We’ll support you during term time and also during breaks.
Our Accommodation Team have a useful off-campus accommodation finder which shows available local properties to Edge Hill and the surrounding areas. If you’re studying over in our Manchester, St James’ campus, can get in touch with any questions too. Drop the Accommodation Team an email with any further questions at [email protected].
Our Student Advisory Panels offer paid opportunities for students to discuss their experiences with others from similar backgrounds and help inform the design and delivery of a wide range of university services and activities.
We currently have five different advisory panels in operation including one for Care Experienced and Estranged Students (CEES). To find out more or to get involved contact the Widening Access and Participation team at [email protected].