Young people in or leaving care are being encouraged to ‘tick a box’ on their university application that can open the door to extra financial support and year-round accommodation.
UCAS, the organisation that manages the university application process, is making looked after children and care leavers aware that by declaring their background, dedicated staff in universities and colleges will be able to give additional help before, during and after term time.
The application question ‘Have you been in care?’ is optional and students can be reassured their chosen universities and colleges will treat responses in strictest confidence.
Andrew Hargreaves, Director of Marketing Communications at UCAS said: “We want to make sure that everyone gets the right information when applying to university. If you are in care or a care leaver and you ‘tick the box’ on your UCAS application, you can be confident your details will be treated in the correct way. Should you need it, help and support will be there, both inside and outside the lecture hall.”
Alongside the ‘Tick the Box’ campaign in National Care Leavers' Week, UCAS will be hosting a web chat on Thursday 30 October at 16:00 (UK time). Students will be able to log on and ask any questions about applying to university from a care background.
Later that evening, Andrew Hargreaves will be presenting the UCAS HE award at the Greater Manchester Care Leaver Awards at Media City, celebrating the achievements of young people that have left care in the North West.
UCAS is also providing an online toolkit for teachers, with presentations, blogs videos and FAQS, to help support their students make the transition to higher education.
All the activities are taking place during National Care Leavers' Week, running until 31 October 2014.
ENDS
Press Office contacts
UCAS Press Office: 01242 545 469
NOTES TO EDITORS
UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, is a charity and the UK's shared admissions service for higher education. We manage applications from over 650,000 people each year for full-time undergraduate courses at over 370 providers across the UK.
The social media hashtag for National Care Leavers Week is #NCWL14.