Universities promise support for students leaving care

Nine universities including Cambridge, Manchester and Leeds have signed up to a government pledge to tackle disadvantage among young people leaving care.

The Care Leaver Covenant, a package including financial advice, internship opportunities and training workshops, will see universities offer support, such as bursaries and help with accommodation for care leavers. A government spokeswoman told HE that the specific packages universities offer will vary, but could include summer courses and life skills such as cooking.

Although 40 per cent of all young people enter higher education, among care leavers participation rates drop to 6 per cent. Local government data show that in England in 2017, no young people leaving care took up places at university in almost 30 per cent of local authority areas.