The number of Welsh universities demonstrating their commitment to supporting people with a care background to achieve their full potential has continued to increase.
Eight Welsh universities and one further education college have now achieved a Quality Mark which recognises universities’ commitment to providing support and additional funding for people of all ages with a care background.
The Frank Buttle Trust Quality Mark for Care Leavers in Higher Education identifies institutions which have improved care leavers’ academic skills to succeed in school, college and university.
University of Glamorgan and UWIC have joined Aberystwyth, Bangor, Cardiff, Glynd?r, Swansea and Swansea Metropolitan Universities in achieving the Quality Mark. Coleg Sir Gâr is the first further education college in Wales to achieve this significant award.
Professor Philip Gummett, Chief Executive of HEFCW, said: “Welsh higher education institutions have made considerable progress in developing support for looked after children and care leavers since the Quality Mark was launched in Wales in 2006. Wales has a greater percentage of universities with the Quality Mark than the rest of the UK and I commend the sector for its very positive response and commitment to these learners.”
Universities offer a range of provision for care leavers depending on their individual needs, including confidential advice, bursaries and personal support packages and all-year accommodation.
In June, the West and Mid Wales Reaching Wider Partnership hosted a successful regional conference showcasing the support available for care leavers in the area. The South West Wales Partnership is developing an all-Wales information and advice booklet for care leavers to be published in the autumn. The South East Wales (First Campus) Partnership has developed a ‘Preparing for College’ programme designed to provide advice and guidance for care leavers looking to continue their learning and the North Wales Partnership has developed a training programme for foster carers and care agencies to enable them to mentor the children in their care.