Independent students who are Care Leavers

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</li></ul></nav><nav class="navbar navbar-secondary" role="navigation" aria-label="Secondary navigation"> <ul class="nav navbar-nav"><li class="nav-breadcrumb first" data-lastmodified="1736164220597"> <a href="https://warwick.ac.uk/study/outreach/disruptededucation/" data-page-url="/study/outreach/disruptededucation/">Disrupted Education</a></li><li class="active nav-breadcrumb second last" data-lastmodified="1736163990691"> <a tabindex="0" data-page-url="/study/outreach/disruptededucation/careleavers/">Independent students who are Care Leavers</a></li></ul></nav> </div> </header> <main id="main" class="id7-main-content-area"> <header> <div class="id7-horizontal-divider"> <svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" x="0" y="0" version="1.1" width="1130" height="41" viewBox="0, 0, 1130, 41"> <path d="m 0,0.5 1030.48, 0 22.8,40 16.96,-31.4 16.96,31.4 22.8,-40 20,0" class="divider" stroke="#383838" fill="none" /> </svg> </div> <div class="id7-page-title"> <h1> Independent students who are Care Leavers </h1> </div> </header> <div class="id7-main-content"> <div class="layout layout-100"> <div class="column-1"><div class="column-1-content"> <div class="layout-row layout-row--nowrap"> <div class="layout-col layout-col--9"> <div class="container-component boxstyle_ box5"> <div class="image-component margin-full"> <picture> <img src="wms_students_group_computer_1_copy3.jpg" alt="Students looking at a laptop" class="img-content"> </picture> </div> <h2><strong>Young people who are Care Leavers </strong></h2> The information on this webpage is for young people who are thinking of applying to Warwick as an Undergraduate student – or have an offer from the university – and are <strong>care leavers</strong>. A definition of what this means is included below. If you are a care experienced student or are independent because you are estranged from your parents, there is more information about the support available to you on the following webpages: <div class="container-component boxstyle_ box0 no-bottom-margin"> <ul> <li><strong><a href="https://warwick.ac.uk/study/outreach/disruptededucation/careepxerienced" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Care Experienced students<i class="new-window-link" aria-hidden="true" title="Link opens in a new window"></i><span class="sr-only">Link opens in a new window</span></a></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://warwick.ac.uk/study/outreach/disruptededucation/estranged-students/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Independent students who are Estranged<i class="new-window-link" aria-hidden="true" title="Link opens in a new window"></i><span class="sr-only">Link opens in a new window</span></a></strong></li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> <div class="layout-col layout-col--3"> <div class="container-component boxstyle_ box1"> <h2><strong>Contact us</strong></h2> <p style="text-align: start;"><strong>Emily Watkins</strong></p> <p style="text-align: start;"><strong>Widening Participation Lifecycle Officer</strong></p> <div class="image-component margin-full"> <picture> <img src="emily_watkins_headshot.png" alt="" class="img-content"> </picture> </div> <p style="text-align: start;"><strong>Email: </strong><a href="mailto:lifecycleteam@warwick.ac.uk"><b>lifecycleteam@warwick.ac.uk</b></a></p> </div> </div> </div> <div class="container-component boxstyle_ box3"> <h3 style="text-align: start;"><strong>Support for Care Leavers at the University</strong></h3> <p style="text-align: start;">Warwick offers a wide range of pastoral, academic and financial support for students who come to study here. We have a named contact at the University (Emily Watkins) for young people who are independent because they are leaving care so that you have a single point of contact to help you with any questions or queries both before you get here and during your studies. Emily, and the Widening Participation Lifecycle Team, can offer one-to-one support throughout the various stages of applying and studying at Warwick:</p> <div class="layout-row layout-row--nowrap"> <div class="layout-col layout-col--9"> <div class="container-component boxstyle_ box2"> <ul style="padding-left: 30px; text-align: start;"> <li><strong>Application stage</strong> – We can support you to navigate through the various stages of applying to Warwick and explain how you can share more information about your independent status.</li> <li><strong>Enrolment stage</strong> – We can signpost you to the support on offer across the University, including bespoke support for independent students who are care leavers.</li> <li><strong>During your studies at Warwick</strong> – We can support you to thrive in your studies and make the most of your experience at the University.</li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="layout-col layout-col--3"> <div class="container-component boxstyle_ box5"> <h4 class="text-center" style="text-align: center;">Applying to Warwick as a Care Leaver in 2025?</h4> <p class="text-center">Take a look at our handout for Independent Students who are Care Leavers:</p> <div class="buttons-component buttons-component-vertical buttons-component-align-centre"> <a href="independent_students_who_are_care_leavers_2025_entry.pdf" target="_blank" class="btn btn-info "><i class="far fa-file-pdf icon-start" aria-hidden="true"></i> CLICK HERE</a> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h4 style="text-align: start;"><strong>Read about the support available and find links to support networks in the tabs below.</strong></h4> <div class="tabs-component" data-accordion-allowed-expanded="one"> <div class="tabs-component--tablist" role="tablist"> <button class="active" id="Definition-of-care-leaver-status" role="tab" type="button" aria-selected="true" aria-controls="Definition-of-care-leaver-status-tab">Definition of care leaver status</button><button id="Support-for-care-leavers" role="tab" type="button" aria-selected="false" tabindex="-1" aria-controls="Support-for-care-leavers-tab">Support for care leavers</button><button id="What-will-I-need-to-do" role="tab" type="button" aria-selected="false" tabindex="-1" aria-controls="What-will-I-need-to-do-tab">What will I need to do?</button> </div> <div class="tabs-component--panels tab-content"> <button class="tabs-component--accordion-button btn btn-default btn-lg" aria-controls="Definition-of-care-leaver-status-tab" type="button" aria-expanded="true" title="Collapse"><i class="fas fa-chevron-up" aria-hidden="true"></i><span>Definition of care leaver status</span></button> <section aria-hidden="false" class="tabs-component--panel active" role="tabpanel" data-id aria-label="Definition of care leaver status" tabindex="0" id="Definition-of-care-leaver-status-tab"> <div class="panel panel-default"> <div class="panel-body"> <div class="container-component boxstyle_ box1"> <p><strong>Care leaver: </strong>this means that you are aged 16-25 and have been in the care of your local authority for at least 13 weeks at any time since the age of 14, including some time after your 16th birthday.</p> <p>This care may have been provided in many different settings, including:</p> <ul> <li><strong>Living with foster carers</strong></li> <li><strong>Living in a residential children's home</strong></li> <li><strong>Being looked after at home under a supervision order</strong></li> <li><strong>Living with relatives in kinship care or under a guardianship agreement</strong></li> </ul> <p>If you are under 19, have left care and have been living independently, we can also offer you additional support.</p> </div> </div> </div> </section><button class="tabs-component--accordion-button btn btn-default btn-lg" aria-controls="Support-for-care-leavers-tab" type="button" aria-expanded="false" title="Expand"><i class="fas fa-chevron-down" aria-hidden="true"></i><span>Support for care leavers</span></button> <section aria-hidden="true" class="tabs-component--panel" role="tabpanel" data-id aria-label="Support for care leavers" tabindex="0" id="Support-for-care-leavers-tab"> <div class="panel panel-default"> <div class="panel-body"> <p>In addition to the wider support available to students at Warwick, the University offers a range of bespoke support for independent students who are care leavers.</p> <p><strong style="text-align: start;">Please note that this support is only available for students who are starting their course at Warwick in Autumn 2025 and are eligible for UK/Home fees.</strong></p> <p>The information below covers the main aspects of support, but please contact Emily and the WP Lifecycle Team at <strong><a href="mailto:lifecycleteam@warwick.ac.uk">lifecycleteam@warwick.ac.uk</a></strong> if you have any questions or would like more information.</p> <div class="container-component boxstyle_ box1"> <p><b>Application Support </b></p> <ul> <li>Financial support for travel to Open Days/Offer Holder Open Days – please contact <strong><a href="mailto:lifecycleteam@warwick.ac.uk">lifecycleteam@warwick.ac.uk</a> </strong>to discuss this further</li> <li>Eligibility for a <strong><a href="https://warwick.ac.uk/study/undergraduate/apply/contextual-offers/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Contextual Offer<i class="new-window-link" aria-hidden="true" title="Link opens in a new window"></i><span class="sr-only">Link opens in a new window</span></a></strong></li> </ul> </div> <div class="container-component boxstyle_ box2"> <p><b>Financial Support (Undergraduate)</b></p> <p><em><b>Please note that this support is available to students who have been assessed by Student Finance England (or the equivalent funding body in Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland) as 'Independent' due to their care leaver status.</b></em></p> <ul> <li><a href="https://warwick.ac.uk/services/wss/funding/bursariesandscholarships/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><strong>Warwick Bursary</strong><i class="new-window-link" aria-hidden="true" title="Link opens in a new window"></i><span class="sr-only">Link opens in a new window</span></a> of up to £2,500 per year</li> <li>A Widening Participation Bursary for Independent Students who are Care Leavers or Estranged of £1,500 per year</li> <li>Warwick Scholars Bursary of up to £2,000 per year (there is more information about the Warwick Scholars Undergraduate Programme below)</li> </ul> </div> <div class="container-component boxstyle_ box1"> <p><b>Accommodation Support (Undergraduate)</b></p> <ul> <li>Eligibility for 52-week on-campus accommodation for the duration of your studies (if desired). This accommodation offer includes a 40/44-week campus room, followed by alternative accommodation over the summer vacation. There is more information about the term-time accommodation Warwick offers <strong><a href="https://warwick.ac.uk/services/accommodation" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here<i class="new-window-link" aria-hidden="true" title="Link opens in a new window"></i><span class="sr-only">Link opens in a new window</span></a></strong>.</li> <li>Please note that there is a charge for this accommodation and students are required to move rooms over the summer vacation as part of the University's 52-week campus accommodation package. You can find out more about this, and more information about 52-week accommodation costs, in our <a href="52-week_accommodation_faqs_-_updated_oct_24.pdf"><strong>52-Week Campus Accommodation FAQs</strong><i class="far fa-file-pdf icon-margin-left" aria-hidden="true" title=""></i></a>.</li> </ul> </div> <div class="container-component boxstyle_ box2"> <p><b>Warwick Scholars Programme (Undergraduate)</b></p> <ul> <li>Eligibility for the <strong><a href="https://warwick.ac.uk/study/outreach/whatweoffer/warwickscholarsug" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Warwick Scholars Undergraduate Programme<i class="new-window-link" aria-hidden="true" title="Link opens in a new window"></i><span class="sr-only">Link opens in a new window</span></a></strong>. This programme provides students with access to bespoke activities, along with academic, personal and professional development opportunities (such as internships and mentoring experiences) while students are at Warwick.</li> </ul> </div> <div class="container-component boxstyle_ box1"> <p><b>Graduation and beyond (Postgraduate)</b></p> <ul> <li>Priority eligibility for the <strong><a href="https://warwick.ac.uk/study/outreach/scholarships/wtmss" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Warwick Taught Masters Scholarship Scheme<i class="new-window-link" aria-hidden="true" title="Link opens in a new window"></i><span class="sr-only">Link opens in a new window</span></a></strong> (WTMSS) to support progression to postgraduate study.</li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </section><button class="tabs-component--accordion-button btn btn-default btn-lg" aria-controls="What-will-I-need-to-do-tab" type="button" aria-expanded="false" title="Expand"><i class="fas fa-chevron-down" aria-hidden="true"></i><span>What will I need to do?</span></button> <section aria-hidden="true" class="tabs-component--panel" role="tabpanel" data-id aria-label="What will I need to do?" tabindex="0" id="What-will-I-need-to-do-tab"> <div class="panel panel-default"> <div class="panel-body"> <div class="container-component boxstyle_ box1"> <p style="text-align: start;"><strong>When you apply to Warwick</strong></p> <p style="text-align: start;">To help the Warwick Admissions team contextualise your University application, we would encourage you to indicate that you are care experienced on your <strong>UCAS form</strong> and to ask your referee to confirm that you are a care leaver in the <strong>'Extenuating Circumstances' </strong>section of the UCAS reference. The Warwick Admissions team will assess your application and will let you know if they require any further information from you.</p> <p style="text-align: start;">If you have already applied to Warwick and did not include this information in your UCAS form, please contact the WP Lifecycle Team (<strong style="text-align: start;"><a href="mailto:lifecycleteam@warwick.ac.uk">lifecycleteam@warwick.ac.uk</a></strong>).</p> </div> <div class="container-component boxstyle_ box2"> <p style="text-align: start;"><strong>Offer holders</strong></p> <p style="text-align: start;">If you are made an offer of a place and indicated on the UCAS form that you are care experienced, the Widening Participation Lifecycle Team will be in touch to share more information about the support available to care leavers and the evidence that we will need of your Independent Student status (this is usually a copy of your Student Finance assessment, stating that you have been assessed as Independent due to being a care leaver).</p> <p style="text-align: start;">If you have suddenly entered the care system, or did not include this information on your UCAS form, please contact the WP Lifecycle Team (<strong><a href="mailto:lifecycleteam@warwick.ac.uk">lifecycleteam@warwick.ac.uk</a></strong>).</p> </div> </div> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="layout-row layout-row--nowrap"> <div class="layout-col layout-col--9"> <div class="container-component"> <h5 style="text-align: start;"><strong>Useful links:</strong></h5> <ul style="padding-left: 30px; text-align: start;"> <li><strong><a href="https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/individual-needs/ucas-undergraduate-care-experienced-students" target="_blank" rel="noopener">UCAS information for Care Experienced students and Care Leavers<i class="new-window-link" aria-hidden="true" title="Link opens in a new window"></i><span class="sr-only">Link opens in a new window</span></a> </strong>– Useful information for students with care experience who are considering applying to university.<strong><br></strong></li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/media/1897/sfe_important-_information_for_students_who_qualify-as_care_leavers_o.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Student Finance England<i class="new-window-link" aria-hidden="true" title="Link opens in a new window"></i><span class="sr-only">Link opens in a new window</span></a> </strong>– Student Finance information for independent students who are care leavers.</li> <li><strong><a href="https://sites.google.com/view/eaces-handbook/home?authuser=0" target="_blank" rel="noopener">The EaCES Handbook<i class="new-window-link" aria-hidden="true" title="Link opens in a new window"></i><span class="sr-only">Link opens in a new window</span></a> </strong>– A resource for students who are estranged or are care experienced and are thinking about FE or HE study, written by young people from the EaCES community.</li> <li><strong><a href="https://becomecharity.org.uk/get-support/propel/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Propel<i class="new-window-link" aria-hidden="true" title="Link opens in a new window"></i><span class="sr-only">Link opens in a new window</span></a> </strong>– Advice and support for care experienced students who would like to go to university. Propel also runs a series of workshops, including the <strong><a href="https://becomecharity.org.uk/get-support/propel/united-kingdom/support-for-young-people/workshops-for-young-people/propel-uni-ready-programme/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Uni Ready Programme<i class="new-window-link" aria-hidden="true" title="Link opens in a new window"></i><span class="sr-only">Link opens in a new window</span></a> </strong>for care experienced students.</li> <li><strong><a href="https://www.reesfoundation.org/general-support--signposting.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Rees Foundation<i class="new-window-link" aria-hidden="true" title="Link opens in a new window"></i><span class="sr-only">Link opens in a new window</span></a> </strong>– General advice and support for care experienced young people and adults.</li> <li><strong><a href="https://mycovenant.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Care Leaver Covenant<i class="new-window-link" aria-hidden="true" title="Link opens in a new window"></i><span class="sr-only">Link opens in a new window</span></a> </strong>–<strong> </strong>A charity supporting care leavers. Their <strong><a href="https://mycovenant.org.uk/for-care-leavers/connects/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Connects network<i class="new-window-link" aria-hidden="true" title="Link opens in a new window"></i><span class="sr-only">Link opens in a new window</span></a></strong> offers a range of opportunities (including work opportunities) to students who have left care.</li> <li><a href="https://thisisusatuni.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><b>This Is Us</b><i class="new-window-link" aria-hidden="true" title="Link opens in a new window"></i><span class="sr-only">Link opens in a new window</span></a> –<b> </b>A network created by the Unite Foundation for students who are care leavers or are estranged.</li> <li><strong><a href="https://buttleuk.org/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Buttle UK<i class="new-window-link" aria-hidden="true" title="Link opens in a new window"></i><span class="sr-only">Link opens in a new window</span></a> </strong>– a charity providing funding for young people.</li> </ul> </div> </div> <div class="layout-col layout-col--3"> <div class="container-component"> <div class="image-component margin-full"> <a href="../careepxerienced/new_eaces_poster_2024.png" rel="lightbox[all]" class="image-component-link"> <picture> <img src="../careepxerienced/new_eaces_poster_2024.png" alt="EaCES handbook poster" class="img-content"> </picture> </a> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="container-component boxstyle_ box2" lang="en-gb"> <h5><em><strong>If you are leaving care to join us at Warwick, we hope this information has been useful for you, but please email us at <a href="mailto:lifecycleteam@warwick.ac.uk">lifecycleteam@warwick.ac.uk </a>if you or your supporters have any questions.</strong></em></h5> </div> <div class="layout-col layout-col--3"> </div> </div></div> </div> </div> </main> <footer class="id7-page-footer id7-footer-coloured"> <div class="id7-site-footer"> <div class="id7-site-footer-content"> <section class="widening-participation-footer"> <div class="brand-text pull-right"><a href="http://twitter.com/OutreachWarwick" title="Widening Participation at Warwick on Twitter"><em class="fa fa-fw fa-twitter fa-3x"></em><span class="sr-only">University of Warwick on Twitter</span></a></div> <p class="contact">Widening Participation Team, University House,<br />University of Warwick, Kirby Corner Road,<br />CV4 8UW</p> </section> </div> </div> <div class="id7-app-footer"> <div class="id7-logo-bleed"></div> <div class="id7-app-footer-content"> <div id="page-footer-elements" class="nofollow clearfix page-footer-elements"> Page contact: <a id="email-owner-link" href="/sitebuilder2/api/ajax/emailOwner.htm?page=%2Fstudy%2Foutreach%2Fdisruptededucation%2Fcareleavers" class="no-print-expand" aria-controls="email-page-owner" title="Send an email to WP Lifecycle Team" rel="nofollow">WP Lifecycle Team</a> <br> Last revised: Mon 6 Jan 2025 </div> <div id="email-page-owner" class="hidden"> </div> <div class="id7-footer-utility"> <ul> <li id="powered-by-link"> Powered by <a href="https://warwick.ac.uk/sitebuilder" title="More information about SiteBuilder">Sitebuilder</a> </li> <li id="accessibility-link"><a href="https://warwick.ac.uk/accessibility" title="Accessibility information [0]" accesskey="0">Accessibility</a></li> <li id="cookies-link"><a href="http://warwick.ac.uk/cookies" title="Information about cookies">Cookies</a></li> <li id="copyright-link"><a href="http://warwick.ac.uk/copyright" title="Copyright Statement">© MMXXV</a></li> <li id="modern-slavery-link"><a href="https://warwick.ac.uk/modernslavery">Modern Slavery Statement</a></li> <li id="privacy-link"><a href="http://warwick.ac.uk/privacy" title="Privacy notice">Privacy</a></li> <li id="terms-link"><a href="http://warwick.ac.uk/terms/general" title="Terms of use">Terms</a></li> </ul> </div> </div>  <div id="university-vacancies-link"> <a class="btn btn-info" href="https://warwick.ac.uk/vacancies">Work with us</a> </div> </div> </footer> </div> <div class="id7-right-border"></div> <aside id="cookie-banner"> <div class="container"> <h2>Let us know you agree to cookies</h2> <form id="cookiePreferenceForm" action="/sitebuilder2/user/cookiepreference?returnTo=%2Fstudy%2Foutreach%2Fdisruptededucation%2Fcareleavers%2F" method="POST"> <div class="row"> <div class="col-sm-12 col-md-4"> <p class="cookie-description">We use cookies to give you the best online experience. 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Independent students who are Care Leavers