Advice for care leavers

What do we mean by a care leaver?

A care leaver is someone who has spent time in any of the following:

• foster care
• residential care (children’s home)
• under a Special Guardianship Order 
• supported accommodation outside of the family

Who is entitled to get extra help?

Everyone who applies to Brighton is treated as an individual, but to be eligible for additional help, you usually need to be under the age of 25 and have been in local authority care for three months or more since the age of 14 and were in care on or after your 16th birthday.

You should also be applying to study for a full-time undergraduate degree.

What support is available for care leavers?

• Free train travel to open days and applicant days is available
• Help with money – the University of Brighton care leaver’s bursary, financial advice, and additional financial support from the university and government.
• Guaranteed all year round accommodation in your first year.
• A personal student support and guidance tutor, who can help if you are struggling with your studies or need other support.
• Emotional support and wellbeing – counselling services if you are experiencing stress or difficulty in or outside of university.
• Study skills assistance – to help you with the academic demands of university, we have study skills sessions and online support.
• Mentoring - we can guarantee a mentor to all care leavers - we have identity and non-identity based programmes and amazing professionals trained ready to support care leavers. Once students start at Brighton we have an online application which asks for some information before we match students and mentors.
• Student Ambassadors role – guaranteed interview for our paid ambassador role.
• Amazon voucher available when you enrol to help support you settling into university 

Our Widening Participation team will be able to put you in touch with the right people to help you.

Even if you don’t think you will need this extra support at first, you can contact Widening Participation or Student Services (with offices on all of our campuses) for help if things change for you.

Depending on your circumstances you could also be eligible to receive further bursaries and financial support from the University of Brighton.

How do I apply for this support?

Firstly, you need to state on your UCAS form that you have been in care.

Once you have confirmed that you wish to take up your place at Brighton, we will send you a short form that you will need to complete and return. This is so that we can check what support you are eligible to receive.

Don’t worry if you haven’t indicated on your UCAS form that you have been in care or you have difficulty completing the form for any reason – you can still get additional support if you are eligible. Our Widening Participation team, the contacts for care leavers applying to or joining the university are here to help.

Contact:

• Amy Adams on 07792396266

Or email the team on aboutuni@brighton.ac.uk.

What happens next?

If you are eligible, and confirm that you would like additional support, your details will be passed (with your permission) to relevant departments such as the accommodation office, finance department and student services. These departments will assess your support needs and help with any queries you may have.

University of Brighton care leaver's bursary package

For students who are eligible, the award is a cash bursary of £1,000 available in each year of study, comprising £500 University of Brighton bursary plus an additional £500 per year.

You do not need to repay a University of Brighton or care leaver's bursary.

Depending on your circumstances you could also be eligible to receive further financial support from the university.

Guaranteed accommodation

University accommodation

You will be guaranteed a place in halls of residence for your first year of study, including Christmas and Easter, providing that you firmly accept your offer of a place and apply by the accommodation deadline.

Staying in halls for a year

If you are interested in a full-year tenancy it is possible to apply for a 50 or 51 week tenancy in one of the halls listed below, and then to arrange the additional one or two week stay later in the year (ideally get in touch with us before June).

• Varley Park – The Hub (50 weeks)
• Falmer – Great Wilkins (50 weeks)
• Moulsecoomb – Mithras Halls (51 weeks).

If you indicate a preference for halls with a 39-week tenancy it is possible to stay in halls for a full year but in that case you'd need to spend the additional time over the summer in the Hub or Great Wilkins. If you accept a 39-week tenancy but require a longer tenancy, contact the accommodation team from April to check availability for summer accommodation.

We can also help you find accommodation for your second year. Get in touch with us before the end of the academic year if you'd like some help.

Private accommodation

If you would prefer to live in the private sector, rather than university accommodation, our advisers can help you find private accommodation. If you have any questions you can email the accommodation office at accommodation@brighton.ac.uk or find us on Facebook.

Your application to the university

Everyone who applies to Brighton is treated as an individual. Offers may be based on individual circumstances and an assessment of your potential to succeed on the degree course, as well as your grades.

Applicants need to apply by UCAS deadlines. However, it is possible to apply for university after the initial January deadline, through a process called Clearing.

Membership of the NNECL

NNECL is a registered charity committed to the progression and support of young people in or leaving care, into and through further and higher education.

As a member of NNECL the University of Brighton is part of a network that will engage with key influencers and policy makers to ensure member’s voices are heard.

Members work together to provide the best outcomes for care experienced students across the UK.

Care Leaver Covenant

The covenant is a promise made by private, public or voluntary organisations to provide support for care leavers aged 16-25 to help them to live independently.

The University of Brighton is a signatory of the Care Leaver Covenant and committed to supporting care leavers at university, through our care leaver bursary, access to student support and guidance tutors and employment opportunities.

Find out more

Our Widening Participation team are the contacts for care leavers applying to or joining the university, and are here to answer your questions.

Contact

Amy Adams on 07792396266

Or email the team on aboutuni@brighton.ac.uk

More about the care leaver's bursary.