Students are supported within EKC Group from the moment of application; they have a designated member of staff within the student centres across the campuses and are allocated a progression mentor. The progression mentors work closely with programme areas and signpost students where necessary (to academic support from the Learning Resource Centres, pastoral support from the Emotional Wellbeing Centres or to other internal/external information, advice or guidance services).

The designated member of staff can be contacted prior to application, if students or their carers have any questions or would like assistance in applying. They can also direct students on how to apply for the 16-19 Student Bursary.

During the course, students can view feedback from their tutors and support staff via a portal, and they can also choose to share this information with a carer or social workers.

The student unions operate across the campuses, they run societies and organise events and trips. There are also opportunities to get involved with the student unions, by talking with them or standing to be volunteer officers.

Our offer includes:

• Supporting care experienced students from the moment of application; they will have a designated member of staff overseeing their application and are allocated a progression mentor as part of their course.
• Giving care experienced students priority status in decisions about access to services or support, such as careers, advice and guidance, wellbeing centres, counselling, additional learning support, financial support.
• Providing a Progression Mentor who will work closely with teachers and signpost care experienced students where needed to extra help with their studies or help with issues that may be affecting their ability to study or get to their course or apprenticeship.
• Making care experienced students one of the priority groups by providing targeted financial support – bursaries, alternative financial or other forms of support and assistance.
• Using data about retention, attendance and achievement to celebrate success and to progress further, act on emerging issues in a timely and effective manner.
• Giving care experienced students up to and including the age of 25, access to Free Breakfast, Free College Meals and Emergency Travel Support where required and eligible.
• Committing to a no permanent exclusion policy for care experienced students (unless exceptional circumstances)
• Committing to a policy of no care experienced student will be disadvantaged or disciplined because of attendance alone as long as it remains above 75%
• Providing emergency 24hr accommodation, clothing and funds, through working with external agencies, for care experienced students where there are concerns around safeguarding or homelessness.
• Providing care experienced students with opportunities to develop employability skills to enter the world of work. Including assured bespoke careers interviews with qualified and experienced teams.
• Providing support in gaining volunteering, work placements and employment where appropriate.
• Providing support in gaining additional work placement hours above the minimum requirement of study programmes for all students.
• Providing work placement opportunities within the Colleges and its Commercial
• Committing to providing a mentor from the business community if requested.
• Providing opportunities to take part in social actions projects at least twice a year.
• Providing additional opportunities to volunteer in the community if requested.
• Providing opportunities to have the Care Experienced voice heard through the Student Union

Providing a discount to membership for Canterbury Sports Centre.