The first ever study of university students with a care background shows that care leavers can benefit from higher education if they are given the right kind of encouragement and support. Fewer than one in 100 care leavers makes it to university, compared to almost half of young people living with their own families. “Going to University from Care” is the final report of the five-year ‘By Degrees’ study, commissioned by the Frank Buttle Trust, which followed three successive groups of young people entering higher education from a background in local authority care.
The findings of the research suggest that, given the chance, far more of these young people have the potential to benefit from higher education. Local authorities, schools and universities are urged to work together to raise aspirations and provide the financial, practical and emotional support that is needed.
The ‘By Degrees’ study is designed to influence policy and practice at national and local levels.
Children in Wales are hosting a seminar to examine the publication of the results of the research, presented by the co-author, Sonia Jackson, Professorial Fellow of the Thomas Coram Research Unit, the Institute of Education, University of London.
With guest speakers:
Chaired by Catriona Williams, Chief Executive, Children in Wales, who said: "I cannot emphasise enough the importance of supporting children in public care to achieve, not just to survive. By setting too low expectations we run the risk of preventing children looked after from achieving their full potential."
Notes:
‘Going to University from Care’ by Sonia Jackson, Sarah Ajayi and Margaret Quigley is published by the Institute of Education Contact
Tel: 020 7612 6050 E-mail: ioe@johnsmith.co.uk. Website: http://ioewebserver.ioe.ac.uk/ioe/cms/get.asp'cid=1397&1397_1=11747