improving the knowledge and support of care leavers in higher education using statistics from hesa...

Improving the knowledge and support of Care Leavers

in Higher EducationUsing statistics from HESA and the DFE to improve

services that support Care Leavers into Higher Education.

Carla Cordner - QSTEP Education Research Intern

Carrie Wilson - Care Leavers Association

About the research

Analysis of statistical data of Care Leavers in Higher Education (HESA and DFE)

Raising awareness of issues and understanding of the support needed for Care Leavers wishing to enter HE

Creating guidance around the gaps in support and monitoring for Care Leavers

A Care Leaver perspective

Data Sets

HESA provided us with data regarding Care Leavers who have completed their first year of study in 2014.

*Second year of study not available till Feb 2016 including new 1st years of 2014/15.

Variables requested:

HE Provider, Care Leaver marker, Principle subject, Level of Study, Sex, Age

The initial look at the HESA Data

Age groups of Care Leavers in HE - HESA

Data

Course Choice - Top 6

Comparison of ages and course choice

Sex and Studying in HE

Sex and Course Choice

Comparison of ages and sex

Department for Education

Children Looked After by Local Authorities in England (including adoption and care leavers) - year ending 31 March 2014 SFR 36/2014

Department for Education

Collected from 152 Local Authorities

Age of Care Leavers in data 19, 20 & 21

Collect the main activity

Excluded data

679 - age 18

499 - age 22-25

709 - age 26+

Total – 1887

The government do not include these figures into their data analysis.

Survey (CLs) 64.3% was not involved in any events held by HE institution

33.9% did not receive information/guidance about support available

39.8% received advice after enrolement

39.3% did not receive financial help from university

64.2% said it was from medium - hard to find information available for CLs held by the HE institution.

Survey (CLs)

41.1% CLs did not receive support from LA while studying

53.6% did not know that you can reopen your case if you enter education/training up to 25.

Recommendationsfrom CLs

More awareness in universities of CL’s

One-to-one support from LA and universities

Better administration on CLs

For universities and colleges to have a designated care experienced person who can be the go-to person for young people in care and care leavers when going into Higher Education.

Help to fill out forms etc.

Making all relevant info readily available and as transparent/ open like normal info for non- care leavers however more than just a mere few lines

More support around child care

Mentoring before entering university

A major improvement would be Care Leavers getting more support from their Local Authority and to be guided better. We don't have the luxury of having families to help us out when we need it. If it wasn't for the Care Leavers association I wouldn't be at university now.

Better housing support during summer period

Support based on individual circumstances

Funding foster parents during application process for HE. (those living with Foster Carers)

More support after the end of university

Mental health support

Outreach support

More summer school activities involving course choice

Questions?

Contact details

Carla - education@careleavers.com

Carrie - carrie.wilson@careleavers.com

Jade - jade.ward@york.ac.uk