Support for Care Experienced Students
Student Advice & Wellbeing play a central role in coordinating support for care experienced students who choose to study at BGU: This includes ensuring enhanced financial provision, assistance with accommodation related issues and helping students to engage with their studies as effectively as possible.
Disclosure of Care Leaver status
The University actively encourages care experienced students to disclose their background using the opportunity on the UCAS application form, during the enrolment process or by asking their Care Leaving Service or Personal Adviser to make a disclosure on their behalf. It is also possible for disclosures to be made at any point in the student’s studies, although an early disclosure is the best way of securing a comprehensive package of support.
Any disclosures of care leaver status will be treated sensitively and in accordance with data protection principles. This will ensure limited circulation of personal information while at the same time safe-guarding appropriate responses to the care experienced students’ needs.
Support Package
Any disclosures of care leaver status will be treated with the following services:
- Availability of 365 day accommodation
- Enhanced financial support
- A named contact for any issues arising before or during your studies
- Confidential service
Financial Support
Students who are care experienced can apply for an enhanced bursary of £3,600. If you wish to apply, you will need to provide details of your Leaving Care Service, or other relevant agency, in order to establish your eligibility for the bursary.
The enhanced bursary is designed to reduce the need for care leavers to take out student loans to cover their living costs, although they remain eligible to apply for the loans if they wish to. The BGU Bursary is payable alongside the funding provided by your funding body, e.g. Student Finance England (SFE).
Accommodation
Care experienced students are a priority in the allocation of accommodation and 365 day accommodation will be guaranteed, providing the student’s request for accommodation is timely.
We will ensure effective liaison for the continuation of existing foster care arrangements wherever possible.
Effective assistance will be given in securing private sector housing, if required, with housing rights advice available from the Student Advice & Wellbeing Team.
