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Support for care experienced students

As a care experienced student, you may be entitled to extra support such as a bursary, guaranteed accommodation, a named contact as well as help and advice from student support.

We have a range of support available for students with care experience, but some support may differ based on whether a student is classified as a 'care leaver' or 'care experienced'.

Our definitions are:

  • Care experienced - all students who have been in formal care at some point during their childhood, including those who are now 25 years or older.
  • Care leavers - students who are under 25 years old and have been in the care of a local authority for at least 13 weeks and have not had any legal guardians since leaving care and coming to Oxford Brookes University.

Contextual offer

At Oxford Brookes University, we want to ensure that all students with the potential to succeed have equality of access. If you have lived in local authority care, you will be eligible for our contextual offer which is a grade reduction of up to three grades below the standard entry requirements. 

More about contextual admissions

Transition from Care Bursary

You may be eligible for the Transition from Care Bursary of £2,000 a year if you:

  • are under 25 at the time you start full-time study at Oxford Brookes University
  • have been in the care of a local authority for a period of at least 13 weeks or more
  • have not had any legal guardians since leaving the care of the local authority and coming to Oxford Brookes
  • are in receipt of funding support from the Student Loans Company or NHS Business Services Authority.

Students under a special guardianship order or in supported housing may also be eligible.

For more information and full eligibility criteria please visit our Transition from Care Bursary webpage. 

If you are unsure whether you meet the eligibility or have exceptional circumstances please contact Vince on careexperienced@brookes.ac.uk

About the Transition from Care Bursary

Guaranteed accommodation

All care experienced students are entitled to guaranteed accommodation in our halls of residence for 52 weeks as long as you meet the criteria, including application deadlines. We will endeavour to support those students who enter via clearing but cannot guarantee availability.

We will help you to choose the most appropriate accommodation for your needs, including length of contract and early access to accommodation if required. We will also support you to move halls at the end of your contract, this will be for a minimum of 2 weeks (depending on contract length) for essential cleaning and maintenance.

Halls managed by the University do not require a deposit but partner accommodation requires a £200 damage deposit, eg Cheney Student Village and Parade Green. We will provide additional funds for those in receipt of the Bursary to pay the deposit where required. 

In addition, for those eligible for the Transition from Care Bursary, we will also: 

  • provide free bedding and kitchen packs
  • establish your transport needs and provide funding to pay for appropriate transport on moving day, for those without alternatives.

We recognise that each student will have a unique set of needs and preferences. We have a number of different accommodation types such as quiet, alcohol free accommodation and family accommodation to ensure as many of our students as possible feel supported and comfortable in halls at Oxford Brookes University.

More about halls of residence and other accommodation

Transition and induction

We will provide a named contact for all care experienced students from the point of offer and will be available for advice until graduation. They will contact all offer holders who declare themselves as care experienced to: 

  • offer transition e-mentoring with current students 
  • discuss any support requirements 
  • verify eligibility for the Transition from Care Bursary 
  • arrange to meet and greet you on arrival to help you find your accommodation and to signpost you to any other services that may be helpful. 
  • arrange for a current student to help you move in if necessary.
  • check you are settling in during induction.

Student support

There is an excellent support system available to students that have been in care and your named contact will continue to support you throughout your studies.

The Centre for Academic Development will provide a ‘study strategy meeting' for all care experienced students to help them plan for the demands of Semester 1. During this meeting, they would agree when they would meet you again, in line with your level of need and course demands.

More information on support can be found at:

Strategy to support care experienced students at Oxford Brookes

Career support

We will guarantee an interview for a paid Student Ambassador role and offer application and interview support. 

All care experienced students will receive personalised contact from the named Careers Consultant to highlight central careers provision as well as offering ongoing support throughout your student journey, including bespoke sessions. 

For all those in receipt of the Transition from Care Bursary, the named Careers Consultant will also provide specific welcome appointments during Semester 1. 

Graduation pack

Those in receipt of the Bursary will receive a graduation pack which includes two free guest tickets (ceremony hall), complimentary full gown hire, and a complimentary basic photo package. Any extra tickets will be charged at £10 per ticket (3 further tickets available during registration period).

News

Two smiling students

Oxford Brookes University has once again been recognised for its commitment to supporting care experienced and estranged students, with the re-approval of the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL) Quality Mark.

NNECL Quality Mark is an accreditation awarded to educational institutions that demonstrate effective support for students who have been in care or are estranged from their families throughout their academic journey. 

NNECL logo

Contact us

Vince Evans

careexperienced@brookes.ac.uk

+44 (0) 1865 534900 option 2