1. Student

Pre-entry

• Dedicated support for the whole student journey, a comprehensive programme of outreach transitional guidance and inclusive support
• Pre-entry advice and guidance for virtual schools and foster carers
• Inspire programme for children looked after supported by care leaver Brunel University Ambassadors
• Bespoke events for children looked after and care leavers

Level 1

• HeadStart induction to the university before fresher’s week preparing first year students for university study.
• Accommodation deposit waiver
• An on campus accommodation package including a moving in starter pack or a voucher towards this.
• £2000 a year care leaver bursary for eligible* students for each year of progressive study.
• Access2read voucher for books
• Laptop Loan
• Care leavers Ambassadors part time paid work opportunities to compliment studies
• Priority to apply for a Brunel Summer Internship an opportunity of 280 hour funded over the summer
• Priority for hardship funds

Level 2

• The opportunity to participate in Brunel’s professional mentoring programme, which is a career focused mentoring scheme that connects students with experienced professionals to develop their planning and interpersonal skills.
• Support with Employment and Career Opportunities; receive careers support from the Drive Forward University Partnerships Project
• Dedicated, specially trained, careers advisor throughout the student journey and up to three years after graduation
• Financial support for opportunities to study abroad and field trips

Brunel University has a range of opportunities to encourage care leavers to enhance their employability options, this includes, internships, work experience, mentorships this list may not include the latest opportunities as this is always being reviewed

Brunel Internship Programme

 Employability programme that offers a limited amount of 280 hour funded internships over the summer of 2020.

• Access to relevant workshops, Careers Consultants and a BSIP Mentor.
• An acknowledged piece of work experience that is added to your university transcript.
• Offer the opportunity to apply to internships with a wide range of employers registered to the programme.
• Help and support throughout the whole process from pre-internship to post-internship
• Students who successfully secure an internship will be paid a bursary of London Living Wage for up to 280 hours
• The bursary is tax- free and does not influence any benefits or allowances that you might receive.

Brunel Mentoring Programme

This involves meeting a mentor regularly in their workplace over a period of 6 months from     November to May. The main purpose of having face-to-face meetings is to work on goals you have agreed on in an active way and gain a close-up experience of a professional work setting. Meeting your mentor allows you to build vital interpersonal skills employers expect and involve you in other essential learning and development.

Face-to-face mentors can facilitate:

• Mock interviews,
• Work shadowing,
• practice presentations and meetings with your mentor’s work colleagues to help build your own network.
• Priority group for support to access placement opportunities.
• Dedicated careers advice and guidance.

Level 3/4

• Graduation Support cap gown and photography package 2 guest tickets.

Brunel University London continually reviews its offer for care leaver’s part of this process is through consultation with current care leaver students we work very closely with our local virtual school and leaving care team to take into consideration wider views. We understand the importance of reviewing and are committed to improving access and provision for care leavers in HE into successful career paths.

The care leaver bursary is for students who are defined as a care leaver according to local authority/government criteria. All remaining support is for all students who have experienced any time in care.

2. Community

Brunel University dedicated widening access officer for care leavers has set up Care in West London to bring together local authority, HE and FE local organisations charity and business to understand the local need. Care leaver students participate in the group.

The response so far has been very positive.

Remit and goals of group:

In the first instance this group has been set up with the following goals:

• To share experience and offerings for care leavers across different services to create a directory of support for LAC and care leavers
• To identify additional support which different services could offer
• To work with local businesses to agree local additional support for LAC and care leavers including work opportunities and access to opportunities to improve social capita
• To create a network for sharing knowledge, skills and experiences to better support LAC and care leavers

University services – for the public

Brunel has a student lead physiotherapy department which is able to take bookings from students and the local community. Should you be a care leaver (or represent a care leaver) and interested in accessing this services / finding out more please send an email to Karen Western ([email protected]) who will point you in the correct direction