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.
The Student Support Team are the designated team for supporting care experienced and estranged students. We recognise that starting a course at university and moving to a new place can be exciting, but also overwhelming. You may find you have a maze of information and procedures to deal with, that’s why the Student Support Team are committed to offering you the extra support you might need throughout your studies.
Got a question or need support? Please get in touch with us at [email protected].
Supporting you
The Student Support Team
The Student Support Team are on hand for support throughout your studies. If you are struggling or need to be put in touch with additional support from our Wellbeing or Money Advice Teams, we will refer and help to connect your support.
We offer dedicated pre-entry support and guidance for applicants/those interested in studying at Edge Hill University, dedicated pastoral support from us throughout your studies, and bespoke support from our Careers service for advice and guidance on maximising your employability and planning your next steps following graduation.
The Careers team
The Careers team are here to help you to develop your employability by offering opportunities to learn, gain transferable skills, and acquire relevant work experience. We encourage all students to use our services from your first year and for three years after you graduate so that we can help you to get the most out of your experiences whilst at University and prepare you for graduate employment.
Students who identify as being part of a Widening Participation group, including students who are care experienced or estranged, can have exclusive access to ‘Get Ahead’ appointments. In these appointments you can:
discuss additional career topics that may concern you
get the support that you need to reach your goals
support writing your CV
support making job applications
‘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
The Student Support Fund provides non-repayable discretionary awards and emergency support to assist students in financial difficulty, who might otherwise be at risk of leaving their courses because of financial hardship.
Young people aged 16-25 years old who have been ‘looked after’ for at least 13 weeks by a local authority at some point since they were 14 years old and were in care on or after their 16th birthday.
A broader definition, encompassing all those who have spent time in care during childhood. Often young people will not be classed as care leavers because they left care (through, for example, adoption or returning to their family) before their 16th birthday.
Independent students have no communicative relationship with either of their living biological parents and often their wider family networks as well. Often these students do not have the same legal protections as care leavers; local authorities have no statutory responsibility for their welfare. Student Finance define estranged students as being ‘irreconcilably estranged from their parents’.
Students between the ages of 16-25 who have accessed Foyer or other Supported Housing Organisation due to homelessness, or at risk of becoming homeless. The Local Housing Authority or Supported Housing Association may refer to these young people as ‘Foyer or Supported Housing Associations students’.
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 also request a contract for a room in University halls of residence for 365 days a year for the three years of the degree course.
Moving into halls of residence and starting University is an exciting time, but sometimes it can feel overwhelming. If you are concerned about the move onto campus or transition into university, we are on hand to support you. The Student Support team can arrange a joined-up meeting with you and your Personal Adviser/Support Worker/supporter where we will be able to answer any questions you may have. Please get in touch with [email protected] for further information.
Living off campus
If you don’t want to live in halls, we can also support you in your search for accommodation both during term time and the vacation period.
Our Accommodation Team have a useful off-campus accommodation finder which lists available properties local to Edge Hill and the surrounding areas. Advice is also available if you are studying in Manchester at St James’. Please get in touch with the Accommodation team for further information and support.
Edge Hill are committed to supporting you from the beginning of your student journey. We offer dedicated and comprehensive support for all care leavers, care experienced, estranged and foyer students from pre-entry right through to graduation and beyond. We are committed to ensuring your experience at Edge Hill is a positive journey.
The Student Support Team are on hand for support throughout your studies. If you are struggling or need to be put in touch with additional support from our Wellbeing or Money Advice Teams, we will refer and help to connect your support.
We offer dedicated pre-entry support and guidance for applicants/those interested in studying at Edge Hill University, dedicated pastoral support from us in the Student Support team throughout your studies, and bespoke support from our Careers service for advice and guidance on maximising your employability and planning your next steps following graduation.
We know that for many starting University, (or returning to University after a pause), can present a lot of change and we’re on hand to help you with this transition. We believe that University is a transformational experience and we’re here to support you through your journey.
To ensure that you receive the support you are entitled to during your time at Edge Hill, make sure you contact us. Due to Covid-19 restrictions, we are offering a mixture of face to face and virtual appointments.
If you and/or your Personal Adviser/Support Worker/supporter would like to organise a meeting, or if you’d like to get in touch and make yourself known to the team, please email the Student Support team at: [email protected]