Continuing your education

As your corporate parent we will support you to succeed in your education.

Your Social Worker and Designated Teacher will provide advice and help which will include:

• What to do when leaving school
• Support to make plans and enroll at further education or training
• Help you prepare to leave school
• Provide you with career advice

You may also ask for:

• A continuing Personal Education Plan
• Guidance about your options
• Advocacy at school

If you are a care leaver in higher education or university you could get financial support. This includes money towards your accommodation, travel and your personal needs plus an 'incentive allowance' of £40 per week to encourage you in your studies.

Your social worker and designated teacher will provide advice and guidance to help you decide what you want to do once you leave school.

Support may include guidance about your options, advocating for you at college or sixth form, or accessing additional revision resources or tuition if needed.

Young people can request additional support by contacting their social worker as needed. Young People’s Services can also provide careers guidance and advice about job hunting, or how to apply and plan for university, if that is your goal.

Financial support while studying

Bursaries

If you think you might struggle with the cost of full-time further education or training from aged 16, you can apply for a bursary to get financial support. Speak to your school, college or training provider about applying for a bursary.

Student finance

There are lots of schemes and services to help students with money, such as Student Finance England.

If you want to study at university and you have a statement of Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) or an Education, Health and Care Plan (EHCP), you may be eligible for Disabled Students' Allowance:

Student discounts

There are lots of schemes and services to help students with money, such as Student Finance England. See managing your money for more information about student discounts.

Your Social Worker or Personal Adviser will offer you:

• support to apply for bursaries if you're in further or higher education
• a financial assessment to consider transport costs
• a financial assessment to consider the costs of tools, equipment, essential clothing and books
• a one off bursary of £2,000 to help you with the cost of books materials, trips and moving house if required for study.
• support if you choose to go to university, such as helping you get tuition fees and maintenance loans, travel costs at the start and end of term and during holidays
• help to choose the right course and university to match talents and interests
• opportunities for work experience, apprenticeships and employment within the council or associated companies
• assist you to complete a Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) application and personal statement. This will include support with student finance and campus visits.

UCAS can offer information about courses available nationally and help with applying to university.

Further information is available through:

Accommodation

If attending university, accommodation will be funded at the local housing rate for the area.

If you are a student in full-time residential education, or in higher education, we will ensure that you have suitable accommodation if you need it during vacation periods.

University

We support care leavers in their choice of education and provide advice and guidance. For example, your Social Worker will assist you to complete a UCAS application and personal statement. This will include support with student finance and campus visits.

Personal Advisers assist care leavers in the transition to university. Care leavers who attend university are offered financial support via our Supporting Independence Team Higher Education Bursary Scheme. This funds student accommodation, the provision of a laptop and vacation accommodation etc.

Further financial entitlements are detailed in the finance section:

Once you have completed your university course, the Supporting Independence Team will provide you with assistance to apply for a local Graduate Scheme within the Council, or with local businesses, and in applying for jobs.

UCAS can offer information about courses available nationally and help with applying to university.