07/2011 - Top universities fail to deliver Government promise on support for care leavers

12 July 2011

The Who Cares? Trust is disappointed to discover that that the best universities in the country are failing to deliver on the Government’s promise to provide support to help care leavers access higher education.

Our analysis of Access Agreements (published today by Office for Fair Access – OFFA) for the top 20 English universities[1] reveals that 40% of them do not include specific support for care leavers.  These Access Agreements were designed to justify top universities setting fees of £9,000 a year.

Worse still, only three of the top 20 English universities have set any kind of target or milestone for increasing participation of care leavers.  This means that OFFA will have no way of telling how successful the support universities are promising to deliver is.

Our analysis shows that the quality of support offered by universities varies considerably, which is a concern in itself.  Some are only making minimal changes to their existing pastoral approach while others are promising to provide specific bursaries, fee waivers and personal support for care leavers.  

We believe that care leavers deserve better. We want:

•    All universities which have not included specific support for care leavers in their Access Agreement to publish a statement of what support they intend to make available
•    OFFA to undertake detailed analysis of all Access Agreements to identify best practice in widening participation for care leavers
•    Government to strengthen the requirements for Access Agreements in 2013/14 to reflect the needs of care leavers
•    Higher Education Statistics Authority (HESA) to publish data on the number of care leavers accessing each university.

[1] Based on the Guardian University League table for 2012/13

Notes to editors

1. The Who Cares? Trust is a UK-wide charity that works to improve the lives of children and young people in care. We do this by:
- using our expertise and influence with government policy-makers
- informing, empowering and supporting children and young people in care, through our magazines and other publications and through projects and campaigns which directly benefit them, and
- producing information and support materials for foster carers and professionals as a means to improving the lives of children in care.

2. Queries and interview requests should be directed to Jemma Roche, Head of Communications at The Who Cares? Trust on 0207 017 2788, or 07812 086913 or email jemma.roche@thewhocarestrust.org.uk

The Who Cares? Trust is a registered charity (No. 1010518). A Company limited by guarantee. Registered in London (No. 2700693). VAT Reg. No. 577853091
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