Care Leavers

The University of Cumbria use the Student Finance England (SFE) definition for care leaver found on the practitioners page: https://www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/care-leavers/

A care leaver is a young person who meets all the below:

• has been in the care of, or has been given accommodation by, their local authority
• time in care lasted at least 13 weeks
• time in care ended after they turned 16
• in most cases, they've not returned to the care of their parent(s) prior to the first day of the first academic year of their course

Further SFE Funding advice including evidence required for care leavers can be accessed on their webpage: https://www.practitioners.slc.co.uk/exchange-blog/2019/july/help-support-students-whove-been-in-care/

The University of Cumbria will offer levels of support to any learners who are formally recognised as Young Care Leavers or Estranged from Family.

• A dedicated contact within the Student Engagement Team to assist with preparation prior to starting, and throughout your course. Email nadine.baxter-smallwood@cumbria.ac.uk, Student Engagement Manager, in the first instance.
• Funded transport to the campus for an Offer Holder Day (currently available to Young Care Leavers only).
• Advice and guidance on applying and personal statements, which can be done via telephone.
• Initial Student Money meeting (note: students who are Young Care leavers and Estranged from Family who declare their status may have increased priority in being allocated a Cumbria Bursary*).
• Accommodation available 365 days a year at Carlisle, Lancaster and Ambleside (must be requested additionally).
• Opportunity to apply for paid Student Ambassador work.
• Request a celebratory ‘Whoop/Shout Out’ at your Graduation Ceremony.
• Exit package upon graduation to include future careers guidance including job hunting, CV updating and interview preparation.

_{* To maximise your chances of being allocated a Cumbria Bursary, you should ensure that you apply for income assessed student finance through your funding body (e.g. Student Finance England). In your application, you must give consent to share your financial information with your Higher Education Institution.}

We are committed to supporting learners who are Young Care Leavers and Estranged from Family holding an offer with us to be able to attend an Offer Holder Day to experience your chosen course and campus in person. We can provide a contribution of up to £50 towards your travel costs, dependent on total mileage travelled to and from the event within the following bands:

• 30-50 miles: £20 
• 51-100 miles: £30
• 101-150 miles: £40
• 151 plus (&NI): £50

 This scheme is only applicable to the offer holder; all claims must be made at the time of attending your chosen event and payment will be made directly into the offer holders bank account within 3 weeks of attending your chosen event. To make your claim, contact enquirycentre@cumbria.ac.uk

Terms and Conditions

• The mileage claimed should be from the offer holder’s home address and postcode (this will be checked by the University prior to any claims paid using the address provided on your application).
• Mileage travelled will be calculated using the shortest available route and for mileage via road, AA Route planner will be used to calculate distance from home postcode, to campus postcode return journey.
• Claims are applicable for applicant dates in 2024/25 academic year

Some students find that they would like some advice with the Student Finance application, particularly when it comes to proving independent status that can mean they receive more maintenance loan. If this would be helpful for you, you can contact our Money Advisors at moneyadvice@cumbria.ac.uk, who will be happy to help you with any money related queries you have. You can also meet our Money Advisors in person at an Offer Holder Day. 

Additional information for Young Care Leavers/Estranged Students is available from SFE - Student Finance England  and additional information on independent status can be found from Stand Alone.

Please also visit our own Fees and Finance page for information on scholarships and bursaries as well as useful information from our Money Advisers. Care leavers and Estranged Students who declare their status may have increased priority in being allocated a Cumbria Bursary*. Additionally, as a learner who is a Young Care Leaver or Estranged from Family, you will be offered a pre-entry finance meeting to discuss extra funds you may be eligible for, budgeting techniques and any other enquiries or questions you may have.

The University offers confidential support and advice in a number of ways:

• Information on how to access services provided by NHS and Social Services
• Support for students with a Disability including some aspects of mental health
• Counselling and therapy service
• Information for staff and students

Find out more

During the start of your course, you will be introduced to a range of teams from Student Support. They offer 24-hour access to online resources and a huge range of e-resources so that you can find support even when you're off-campus. Face-face support and workshops are also available. You can find out more via the online Student Enquiry Point.

Additional support services are provided for Disabled Students, which includes students with learning difficulties (such as dyslexia).

We work with schools and colleges across Cumbria and Lancashire and are more than happy to come into schools or community groups to offer advice and guidance to young people currently in care, and care leavers thinking about entering HE. We can also attend foster carer training to ensure that foster parents have the knowledge and resources to help foster children when they start to apply for HE places.

Contact enquirycentre@cumbria.ac.uk to arrange this.