University & Me: A guide for YOUNG CARERS

What is Greater Manchester Higher?Greater Manchester Higher is a collaboration of universities and colleges from across Greater Manchester, who are working together to provide high quality impartial information, advice and guidance about higher education.

Young Carers: University & Me

This guide is to highlight the support available for young carers when entering university and higher education and how to access this.

There is additional information about the support available for young carers on the Greater Manchester Higher website: gmhigher.ac.uk/youngcarers/

If you would like to receive additional information about routes into higher education, please visit gmhigher.ac.uk/my-student-journey/my-higher-education-options/

If you are aged between 16-25 and have caring responsibilities, you will be classified as a ‘young adult carer’. There are approximately 375,000 young

adult carers in the UK, all facing different challenges and responsibilities. Young adult carers will provide regular care and support to a family member, partner, or friend, and therefore, may be eligible to access additional support while studying.1

What is Higher Education? 2Why study Higher Education? 3What support is available? 4 Financial 4 Pastoral 5 Accommodation 6 Pre-entry Support 6 Other Support 8How to access this support 9Top Tips 10Notes 12Further Information 13

1ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/individual-needs/students-caring-responsibilities

What this guide is for?

Who is a Young Carer?

Young Carers: University & Me

Young Carers: University & Me

Higher education refers to qualifications and courses that you can take after finishing your Level 3 study. Examples of Level 3 study include A-levels, BTECs or other Diplomas, or an Advanced Apprenticeship.Higher Education can include studying a degree at a university, further education college, undertaking an apprenticeship or a degree apprenticeship.

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Young Carers: University & Me

Why study Higher Education?• Graduates often earn more money over a lifetime than non-graduates• AccesstomorejobswithaHEqualification• Realise your potential and gain transferable life skills• Make friends with people from all different types of backgrounds• Opportunities to take up a new interest or hobby by joining a society• Study a subject that you’re good at and care about

Jargon breakdown

Throughout this booklet, you may encounter some terms that you have not heard before. Thesedefinitionswillhelptomaketheinformationclear.

Bursary

Bursaries are a sum of money given by universities/colleges to help students pay for their education. This could beusedspecificallytosupportfeesoraccommodation.Bursariesaregivenonlytoaselectnumberofstudentswho meet certain criteria. Terms and conditions will depend on each higher education institution.

Grants

Grants are offered to students from underrepresented backgrounds by charities/trusts to help cover living costs. It may be a one off payment. For more information, please visit: ucas.com/finance/scholarships-grants-and-bursaries

Personal statement

Personal Statements are an important part of the UCAS application. It’s an opportunity to describe your ambitions, skills and experiences.

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Young Carers: University & Me

Young Carers:

University & Me

Please remember that the information provided in this booklet is a general guide and is not specific to every university. Please contact universities direct to find out more about the specific support they offer.FinancialHigher Education costs money, but do not panicfinancialsupportforyoungcarersisavailable, so money should not be a deciding factor when considering higher education. This section will breakdownthefinancialsupportavailableforyoungcarers.

Extra support from the government: if you are a full-time student in higher education and an adult or child depends on you there is extra support available. This can include an adult dependent grant, a childcare grant, parent’s learning allowance and/or child tax

What support is available?

credit.Thesearepaiddirectlytoyou.Tofindoutmore, please visit: gov.uk/student-finance/extra-help

Please note, in most circumstances, if you are receiving Carers Allowance, this will stop when you start university. It is important to let the DWP know that you are starting university.

University bursary:alongsidefinancialsupportfromstudentfinance,youngcarersmaybeabletoreceiveadditionalfinancialsupportfromtheiruniversity.Theamount and frequency that this will be paid may vary between universities; for more information you should look at university websites or contact them directly.

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Priority for emergency student support funds: all universities will have emergency student support funds and a young carer’s application may be prioritised over other student’s applications.

Travel costs to interviews and open days: some universities may offer to cover the costs of transportation for young carers who may struggle to afford the cost of travelling to open days and interviews.

Advice from Carers Centre: if you are living with the person you are caring for and facedifficultiesinpayingrentetc.;youshouldseekadvice from your local carers centre.For more information, please visit: ucas.com/finance/scholarships-grants-and-bursaries/scholarships-grants-and-bursaries-carefoyer-leaver-estranged-students-and-carers#carers

Pastoral As a young carer, you offer your family vital support, therefore universities want to make it possible for you to achieve you goals and support you. Examples of support include:

Named contact: theywillbeafirstpointofcontactand offer advice on the support that you can access. Their details should be on the university website or they may contact you directly if you disclose you are a young carer on your application.

Individual carer support plans: some universities may offer personalised plans, which are adapted to meetstudentneedsandprovideabitofflexibilitytostudies, such as extensions.

Young carers support network: some universities provide a support network for young adult carers, this provides students with an opportunity to socialise with students with similar experiences.

Wellbeing and counselling support: all universities have some level of wellbeing and counselling provision for students. Therefore, if you encounter stress throughout your studies there will always be someone to talk to. Some universities also run wellbeing events, allowing students to meet up and take part in initiatives such as therapy dogs.

Carers assessment: many universities have contacts with local carers’ centres who will offer support whilst you are living at university. It is important that you have a carers assessment done before start university as this could provide things like respite care and other support, guidance and information. If you have had an assessment, then update it before you start. Contact your local carers centre or the one closest to your university.

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What support is available? (cont)

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AccommodationWhilst it is unlikely that young adult carers will be exempt from paying rent in university accommodation, if

you are struggling it is important to discuss your circumstances with the university accommodation team as they may be able to offer extra support.

Pre-entry SupportUniversities even provide support before you apply to university.

Contextual admissions: universities sometimes look to offer reduced entry requirements to take into account someone’s background or personal circumstances (for example having a disrupted education), this varies across universities so you should contact the ones you are interested in.

Pre-entry visits/outreach activities: all universities will hold various open days and offerholderdaysforyoutofindoutmoreinformation,andsomewillorganisespecificoutreach activities targeted at young carers.

Young Carers: University & Me

Young Carers: University & Me

Other supportCarers Passport Scheme: some universities run a CarersPassportScheme,thissignifiestoallstaffofthe caring responsibilities of the student. This means that you do not have to share their situation multiple times with different staff across the university. A passport might also be the gateway for priority andflexibleaccesstostudyskillssupport,counsellingservices, a mentor and equipment to support your studies.

Academic support: balancing your studies alongside yourcaringresponsibilitiesmaybedifficult;youmaybeeligibleforacademicsupportsuchasflexibledeadlines, help with managing your workload or a mentor.

Student ambassador employment: to help young carers earn money whilst studying many universities will encourage you to apply for the role of student ambassadors. This allows carers to work with other students and to assist in events such as open days and summer residentials.

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What support is available? (cont)

Young Carers:

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Student finance support: if the person you are caringforisaparentandyouarefindingithardtoget their information for the Student Loan Company (SLC), then it is important that you let the SLC know, or contact your university for guidance.

To access support from your university it is important to tell the university about your circumstances. It is important to do this as early as possiblesothattheuniversityhassufficienttimeto put the support in place, you can inform the university in the following ways:

Personal statement: a personal statement is a chance for you to explain why the university should accept you on their course, including how your experiences both inside and outside the classroom can help. As a carer, you could mention your caring responsibilities as these experiences and personal qualities are ideal for a student. This will not negatively affect your application.

Referee: the referee that you include in your UCAS application could inform the university of your circumstances.

Enrolment: you may be asked at enrolment if you are a young carer. Again, it is important to tick this box to let the university know.

Contact the named contact: once you join your university, contact the named young carer contact (if there is one) and inform them that you are a carer. They will then be able inform you of the support available and make sure you’re getting everything you’re entitled to. You can contact them at any time during your course if you decide not to disclose this initially.

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How to access this support?Verification check: for some kinds of support (usuallyfinancialsupport)youmaybeaskedtoprovide evidence that you are a carer. This is not evidence of the person you are caring for and their illness, but evidence of your caring responsibility. This could be from the DWP, a GP, or other professional.

Young Carers: University & Me

Top tips

Do your research: find out the support that each university offers to young carers before making your decisions

Tell your university about your circumstances: this will give the university time to put the necessary support in place. Gives admission staff the opportunity to put

your potential into context and get a complete picture of you

When applying for grants and bursaries, check that you meet the eligibility criteria and check the deadlines

The prospect of starting university can be daunting. Remember there is always support for you at university to help you achieve your goals. Follow our top tips to help your journey...

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Notes

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Further InformationGreater Manchester Higher: gmhigher.ac.uk/youngcarers

Carers Passport Scheme: carerpassport.uk

Carers Trust: carers.org/studying-and-training/studying-and-training

UCAS: ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/individual-needs/students- caring-responsibilities

Learning and Work Institute: learningandwork.org.uk/what-we-do/social-justice-inclusion/young-adult-carers

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