Developing the engagement, retention and success of Care Leavers Mike Hill

1. Developing the engagement, retention and success of Care Leavers Mike Hill Director of Academic Development Jayne Clanfield Education Liaison Manager Emily Butters Widening Participation Project Manager

2. Context • Quality Mark since 2006 • Numbers: 2007- 5 identified Care Leavers 2012- 112 identified Care Leavers • Numbers by year group

3. Our work with Care Leavers • Guidance and support during the application process • Course preparation activities, including a summer school and enhanced induction • On-course support • Single point of contact for advice • 365 day accommodation if required • Bursary of £1500pa for Care Leavers and Foyer residents • Priority for either the National or Kingston Scholarships

4. Care Leaver engagement at the University Our support is to encourage Care Leavers to engage with the University and the opportunities that are provided. Successful engagement within: • the course • personal tutor • extra-curricular activities

5. The challenges Isolation Care Leavers often remain in the accommodation provided by their LA, this often means significant commutes and students living on their own, which is very different from the usual student living set-up and can lead to isolation and disengagement with the University. Misplaced expectations Care Leavers often struggle to form relationships with academic staff, and find the style of teaching difficult. Managing expectations can often be challenging. Disclosure of information Care Leavers often don’t wish to disclose their background in the University, outside of support services (eg tutors and friends). Development of our support We are not confident about how to talk about the detailed issues and how to address them.

6. Care Leaver Learning Community Why did we create it? • To enhance our current support package and raise our awareness and understanding of Care Leavers needs. • To provide formal opportunities for Care Leavers to inform us how to support them better. • Informal peer support • Provide developmental opportunities for our Care Leavers and paid work opportunities • Support their engagement with us and the University in general • Support their employability (development of skills and identification of opportunities) • Provide increased provision for new Care Leavers coming into the University

7. Care Leaver Learning Community What is it? • A community in the first instance which we will be enhanced through the use of technology. • Built in collaboration with Care Leavers currently studying at the University or have recently graduated. • Something that our Care Leavers will take ownership of; - develop in accordance with their own experiences - to help remove the barriers for incoming Care Leaver students. • Something we hope to expand on from school through to post graduation and employment.

8. Care Leaver Learning Community How? • We have offered this opportunity to all current Care Leaver students at the University and those graduates that are struggling to find employment. • We have run 4 workshops in total introducing the project and seeking engagement • From workshop 2 we are beginning to develop the online platform and use the students and their individual specialisms to support this.

9. Extract from worksheet 3 1. What is the single biggest question you had coming into uni that still hasn't been answered? 2. If there was one thing you could advise other care leavers about succeeding at uni, what would it be? 3. Do you think that there are issues and concerns that you have that your non-care peers wouldn't really understand 4. What technology do you think the uni is missing that would make your life easier? 5. What do you think your faculty is missing in terms of support? 6. Do you find it easier to ask someone you know, someone who knows or look it up. If you had to put them in order?

10. Small group work In groups of 5 or 6, for each of the following questions discuss what you think might be the most common responses. • What is the single biggest question you had coming into uni that still hasn't been answered? 2. If there was one thing you could advise other care leavers about succeeding at uni, what would it be? 3. Do you think that there are issues and concerns that you have that your non-care peers wouldn't really understand?

11. Small group work • What is the single biggest question you had coming into uni that still hasn't been answered?

12. Small group work 2. If there was one thing you could advise other care leavers about succeeding at uni, what would it be?

13. Small group work 3. Do you think that there are issues and concerns that you have that your non-care peers wouldn't really understand?

14. Care Leaver Learning Community Future developments • Providing employability advice and information on placements and internships • Mentoring programme for prospective Care Leaver students and Looked After Children. • Development of the community guided by participating students. • Continuing to improve our relationship with Care Leavers and the support that we offer. • Staff development- raising our awareness and knowledge.

15. Contact Details Jayne Clanfield Education Liaison Manager E: j.clanfield@kingston.ac.uk T: 0208 417 3031 Emily Butters Widening Participation Project Manager E: e.butters@kingston.ac.uk T: 0208 417 3289 Michael Hill Director of Academic Development E: r.hill@kingston.ac.uk T: 0208 417 2758