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Support for care-experienced students

At the University of Sunderland, we aim to make sure that anyone leaving care has the same full, immersive and enjoyable time studying at university as any other student. Our We Care Team are here to help you as and when you need us, starting right now.

If you are a care-experienced student, then our We Care Team can help

We understand that as a care-experienced person, you may have additional questions and concerns so we have a dedicated We Care Team who can offer individual, bespoke support to any care-experienced person considering higher education. All contact with the team is kept confidential and your choices are respected at all times.

We can provide personalised support based on your individual needs. This could include the following:

  • Accompany you to university events such as Open Days, individual tours, Applicant Days, interviews, and your graduation ceremony 
  • Liaise with local authority staff or your support workers. With your consent, we can speak to your Personal Advisor, support worker, or carers about the support we offer. We can even attend or contribute to your Personal Education Plan (PEP) meetings if you want us to
  • Meet with you at the start of each academic year whether you're new to the University or new to our support
  • Act as a central point of contact for you throughout your studies, supporting you with any issues or concerns you might have. You can meet with us one-to-one for a coffee and a chat, or contact us via phone or email. We can offer support 9am – 5pm every day that the University is open


We offer support with the following:

  • Accommodation 52 weeks of the year if you arrange it in advance
  • Student finance and funding
  • Employment and part-time work
  • Academic queries such as taking time out of your course
  • Mental health and wellbeing
  • Accessing the We Care Bursary of £2,500 for each year of study

A logo stating that we are a Care Leaver Covenant Gold signatory member       A logo that reads     We Care Inclusive Awards 2022 winner logo

96.4% of students who received support from the We Care Team* rate our support as good or very good.

*Data from 54 respondents to University of Sunderland We Care Survey 2023.

Our award winning team

Dedicated support for you

At the University of Sunderland, we use the broader definition of ‘care-experienced,’ as this term is inclusive of the range of care settings someone may have experienced.

Our definition of care-experienced is someone who, at any stage of their life, and for any length of time, has been in care in the UK e.g. looked after by the local authority. This includes the following:

  • Spent time in the care of the local authority (e.g. foster care or children’s home)
  • Been privately fostered
  • Been ‘looked after at home’ under a supervision order
  • Been in kinship care (where a friend or family member becomes the foster carer). Kinship care can be through a formal arrangement, recognised by the local authority, and could be prior to a Special Guardianship Order.


We respect your confidentiality. Our small team is the only people who will contact you about being care-experienced. No one else within the University will be informed unless you choose to tell them.

If you are care-experienced, but your personal circumstances do not match any of the criteria outlined above, please contact the We Care Team at care.contact@sunderland.ac.uk or call 0191 515 2216 for further guidance.

Why us?

  • 96% of students rated the support they'd received as very good or good
  • 75% of students said knowing about the We Care team was a deciding factor in applying to the University
  • Regular check-ins and financial support were the most valuable support
  • 95% of students said the support helped them to achieve their academic potential
  • 78% indicated that the We Care support prevented the need to take leave or withdraw from their course

According to the We Care Annual Student Survey 2023.

Meet our team

Wendy Price OBE

Head of Widening Access and Participation

I lead the We Care Team and our personalised support for care-experienced students. The We Care team can support you from your very first enquiry to graduation and beyond. I have almost 20 years of experience in supporting students to enter and succeed in Higher Education. I’m committed to ensuring that the support we provide exceeds the expectations of our students, so please let me know if there’s anything you think we can do to improve your student experience. I look forward to meeting you and welcoming you to the University of Sunderland and our We Care student community.

Safeenah Hussain

We Care Team Assistant

Hi, I’m Safeenah and I assist the We Care Team’s bespoke support for care-experienced students. I am keen to ensure students can have a positive experience through Higher Education and allowed to achieve the highest of their ability. We can have regular catch ups and discuss how your studies are going or support you with any needs you may have before, during or after your time studying with us.

Lauren Boffey (Maternity Leave)

We Care Team Coordinator

Hi, I’m Lauren and I coordinate the bespoke support the We Care Team offers to care-experienced students. I have a passion for inspiring and supporting students to progress to and achieve in Higher Education. Day-to-day, this could include supporting you with your student finance application, meeting you for a chat and coffee or cheering you on at your graduation ceremony. From application to graduation and beyond we are here to support you to achieve your full potential.

Close up of a person's hands turning the pages of a book

Your studies and exams

Studying at university can be challenging but rewarding, so we know that you may experience feeling overwhelmed from time to time during your studies. We can help you throughout any particularly stressful or difficult times by:

  • Meeting up for a coffee. Sometimes you just need to take a break and have a chat with a friendly face who will listen.
  • Speaking to your tutor or Programme Leader on your behalf if you want us to
  • Signpost you to relevant support services who can offer support
Crowd of graduates at the Stadium of Light

Graduation and beyond

Our support doesn’t end when you graduate. We’re here to help with your next steps including everything from interview preparation to finding accommodation if you need it. Just get in touch and we’ll be there to help you every step of the way.

Graduation

We can offer you support in the run up to and on the day of your graduation ceremony. Just let us know how we can help. We will cover the cost of your graduation gown and photo package, and even attend your academic awards ceremony to see you graduate, if you would like us to. We’ll also contact you a few weeks before your graduation to check whether you need any support from us.

Dedicated Careers and Employability Support

The Careers, Enterprise and Employability Support Team is here to support you with careers and employability advice. Whether you are looking for graduate opportunities or a part-time job over the summer, get in touch and we can refer you for one-to-one support from the team.

Financial support

We understand that some students may encounter money worries at some point during their studies, but you’re not alone.

You may be entitled to:

We Care Bursary

If you are care-experienced and either a UK full-time undergraduate student or a student studying a full-time taught postgraduate course, then you could be eligible for the We Care Bursary of £2,500, based on progression to the next level of your course. This will be paid in four instalments of £625 throughout the year, for each year you study with us. Your status is kept confidential and you apply via the e:Vision portal. For students who apply to Sunderland directly, or via Clearing, if you inform us during online enrolment that you are care-experienced or estranged, we will send you further details outlining how to apply. You can apply at any point in the year, contact us to find out more. You can apply at any point in the year.

For further information please contact the We Care Team on 0191 515 2216 or email care.contact@sunderland.ac.uk.

University of Sunderland Bursaries

We have a range of scholarships available, so get in touch if you need any help or advice in understanding what you may be entitled to. Find out more about what scholarships and bursaries we offer.

For further information or advice, please contact our Scholarships and Bursaries Team on 0191 515 2865 or by email at scholarships@sunderland.ac.uk.

Local Authority Support

If you are supported by your local authority then they can provide you with a minimum support package of £2,000 for the duration of your higher education course. Many local authorities will provide you with more support – it can be useful to ensure you have this agreed in writing.

Student Support Fund (UK students)

This is the University’s hardship fund to help students who face unexpected costs, higher than expected costs, or serious financial problems for other reasons. The fund is open to UK, EU, and international students, and applications can be made once you have enrolled. You will need to provide supporting evidence for your application to be considered for an award. Priority groups of students for assistance from the fund include students with children, students who are unable to work, and final-year students experiencing financial difficulties. Find more information on the fund (and the application form).

For further information and guidance on your finances, please contact our Student Financial Guidance Team on 0191 515 2284 or email studentfinancialguidance@sunderland.ac.uk.

  • NNECL is a national charity, established by higher education institutions and national organisations committed to the progression and support of care leavers in higher education (HE). NNECL’s website aims to provide information on the range of activities taking place across the country to inspire and inform care leavers about HE. It can really help those who are starting to consider further education and want to find out more.

    Find out more about NNECL or visit their X (formerly Twitter) page.

    National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL)

  • In April 2022, the University achieved the NNECL Quality Mark, a developmental accreditation process that supports higher and further education institutions to achieve the best outcomes for their care-experienced students. It highlights any areas of enhanced or exceptional practice, with a strong focus on mental health and wellbeing.

    The University was rated as 'exceptional' in all seven areas of the Quality Mark assessment – the highest possible rating.

    National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL) Quality Mark

  • Become is a voice for young people in care. Everything they do is designed to improve the day-to-day experience of children and young people in care – and their future lives. Become also host the Propel website which has details of support for care leavers available at all UK universities and FE colleges which offer higher education provision. It’s free and will provide a wealth of information at your fingertips.

    Find out more about Become or visit their X (formerly Twitter) page.

    Become

  • Stand Alone supports adults who are estranged from their family or children. They have specific support for students who can sometimes have issues providing evidence of their family estrangement, who are at risk of homelessness in the summer months or are worried about life after graduation. The University has signed the Stand Alone Pledge, outlining our commitment to supporting estranged students.

    Find out more about Stand Alone or visit their X (formerly Twitter) page.

    Stand Alone

  • The Care Leaver Covenant is a promise made by the private, public and voluntary sectors to provide support for care leavers aged 16-25 to help them to live independently. The aim is to provide additional support for those leaving care, making available support and expertise to aid care leavers to successfully move forward to the next phase of their lives.

    Find out more about the Care Leaver Covenant or visit their X (formerly Twitter) page.

    Care Leaver Covenant

  • Coram Voice will help you with any questions if you are in care, leaving care, have or need a social worker. They can assist in ensuring care-experienced people know their rights.

    Find out more about Coram Voice or visit their X (formerly Twitter) page.

    Coram Voice

  • Estranged and Care Experienced Students (EaCES) provide a space that signposts to support and guidance that is accessible to our community in all areas of their lives, with a particular focus on supporting access to further and higher education. They are a peer support platform by and for students who are estranged, care-experienced, care leavers, orphaned, and at risk of/wishing to become estranged. 

    Find out more about EaCES or visit their X (formerly Twitter) page.

    Estranged and Care Experienced Students (EaCES)

  • The CLA works with care leavers over the age of 16 and is run by care leavers for care leavers. Their work includes user-led support such as mentoring; projects for young people; training and assessment; advice, information and signposting; and research, policy and campaigns.

    Find out more about the CLA or visit their X (formerly Twitter) page.

    Care Leavers' Association (CLA)

Useful contacts

We are working with higher education providers, local authorities, and charities across the country to raise the profile of care-experienced students and ensure we offer the best support possible.

Contact us

You can contact Wendy and the We Care Team on 0191 515 2216 or by email at care.contact@sunderland.ac.uk.

 

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