how to make friends and integrate people: care leavers in he are widening participation teams doing...
TRANSCRIPT
How to make friends and integrate people: Care leavers
in HE
Are widening participation teams doing
enough?
‘Spark your imagination’
Nina Farr
- Student Access Co-ordinator
- PhD research: What is the role of the WP practitioner in supporting care leavers entering HE?
The Frank Buttle Quality Mark for Care Leavers• What are universities being asked to do?
• Outreach and guidance
• Support through the application process
• Structured support by the university thereafter
• Anonymity doesn’t mean being ignored• Creating a home helps young people
establish good health and well-being• Feeling confident and making friends
promotes success• Young people want CHOICE and CONTROL
over accessing services • Continuity of care creates security
What do we know about care leavers from social work research?
What do we know from widening participation
research?
• Risk factors do not happen in isolation
• A holistic approach to research is necessary
• Longitudinal research is more effective
• Not parents, not friends• Recognising difficulties, promoting
services• Facilitating relationships
– Multi-agency working– Enabling carer’s participation too
• Mentoring care experienced students – In the university– In the local community
Applying it to WP in practice
• Solent’s project plan
– Mentoring
– Educating
– Welcoming
A plan of action
• Who’s in charge?
– Managing the many voices in care
• Who are we working with?
– Self-identification, and opting out
– Avoiding stigma, and being ‘singled out’
Predicting the pitfalls
• Thank you for your participation. Delegates are welcome to raise questions and make suggestions from their experience in this field
Questions and suggestions?