Liverpool Hope University Care Leaver Offer
At Liverpool Hope University we aim to support care leavers and care experienced students to ensure that you make the most of your time here with us. If you were looked after by a local authority during your childhood, you may be eligible for additional support from the University.
The University adopts the definition of a care leaver as someone who:
- Is aged 18-25.
- Has spent a minimum of 13 weeks in Local Authority care, i.e. living with foster carers or in a children’s home.
- Was in care on or after their 16th birthday.
Induction
At the start of each academic year, care leaver students are sent a welcome email by the Student Wellbeing Officer, who is the Specific Point of Contact (SPOC) for all care leaver students. This allows the student to connect with the SPOC and to remind them of the University’s care leaver offer.
Care leavers are also contacted via email at key points throughout the year, for example in the period leading up to and after the Christmas break and the pre-exam period, reminding them of the support available to them, should they need it.
Accommodation
Liverpool Hope University is committed to making university halls of residence available to care leaver students for 365 days. Several accommodation options are available, including en-suite flats and shared facility halls.
Any student wishing to increase their accommodation contract to 365 days should contact the accommodation team: accommodation@hope.ac.uk.
The university has also partnered with the charity Nugent, who provide wraparound support for students who have experience of living in care. Nugent has recently acquired accommodation at St. Francis Xavier Church (SFX) in Everton, right next door to the Creative Campus, offering alternative accommodation and pastoral support for students who wish to live independently but may not want to stay in university halls of residence.
The property features:
- 4 en-suite bedrooms
- A spacious communal living area with a TV and sofa
- A modern kitchen/dining space
- A separate communal toilet
- Secure access and optional off-road parking
Further information about the property can be found in their SFX Brochure.
In addition to the accommodation provision, Nugent will offer students tailored support in key areas such as life skills, employability, emotional wellbeing, and independent living. Students will be assigned a key worker to help them with everything they need, so they can focus on their studies with confidence and peace of mind.
For further information about accessing this support, please email Nugent directly at housing.referrals@wearenugent.org.
Pastoral Support
In addition to the support available from the Student Life Team, including Counselling, Mental Health Support, Learning and Disability Support, the SPOC can offer care leaver students:
- A supportive link between the University, the student, and their local authority.
- Advice about the various services and support available to them whilst at university.
- A supportive link between the student and their Course Tutors/faculty staff.
- Advice regarding any financial help and guidance available to them during their studies.
- Help in securing access to university accommodation for 365 days of the year while at university.
- Someone just to talk to when they need it.
Financial Support
Prospective students who are care leavers are eligible to apply for the University’s Care Leavers Bursary.
Eligible students who choose to live in halls of residence and are paying for their own accommodation will be offered a 50% discount on accommodation costs, including the summer, along with a catering package equivalent in value to one hot meal per day. In addition to this, any deposits needed to secure the accommodation would be waived.
Eligible non-resident students will be offered a bursary of £1,000 each year, to be paid in 3 instalments, in line with the current scholarship payment arrangements, and a catering package equivalent in value to one hot meal per day.
The above would cover the period totalling the normal length of their course.
Payments are dependent on the students being fully engaged with their studies and maintaining good academic progress.
Care leaver students joining a full-time undergraduate degree programme at Liverpool Hope University will need to provide evidence of a minimum of 13 weeks spent in Local Authority care and that they were in care on or after their 16th birthday, usually in the form of a letter from the Local Authority or support organisation.
The bursary is also open to students who are living in Foyer or supported housing, provided they are under the age of 25 at the start of their course.
Graduation Package
Care leaver graduands will have the cost of their graduation cap and gown hire subsidised, allowing them to enjoy the special occasion without having to worry about covering the cost for their gown.
Employment and Careers
Liverpool Hope University continues to explore how we can respond to this aspect of the Covenant within the organisation, working closely with our Student Futures team to enhance our support offer for care leavers.
Community Engagement
Liverpool Hope University is keen to explore how we as an institution could respond to this aspect of the Covenant. We are currently exploring and developing links with both the local community and other charitable organisations.
