1. Student

Outreach activity

The NFTS has a dedicated Outreach programme, Access NFTS. The Access NFTS team work with a broad range of individuals and organisations. Interaction begins in Year 7 (aged 11) and particularly focuses on groups traditionally underrepresented in the Film, TV and Games. Through this programme of activities, Access NFTS aims for a minimum of 50% attendees who fall into one or more of its widening participation criteria. Care Leavers are therefore given priority to all opportunities as they fall into this category. (Full WP criteria available). In addition to priority places at regular outreach events, Access NFTS will also endeavour to work specifically with

• Bucks Virtual School
• Bucks County Council
• https://carecreatives.uk
• Additional UK advocacy groups

to run bespoke events annually for care leavers, children in care and/or professionals working in the sector to understand post graduate education further alongside careers in the film, TV and games industry.

Care experienced definition

The NFTS defines a care experienced young person who has been in in Local authority care for at least 13 weeks since the age of 14.

Eligibility and evidence required

In order to be eligible the applicant must be either:

• Care Experienced – As per the above definition.

AND/OR:

• Those that have had eligible children status in the UK or those that fall into the category of former relevant child status.

OR:

• Those who have Qualifying Care Experienced Status in the UK.
• In all cases proof of Care Experienced status in the form of written documentation from the student’s local authority (corporate parent) will be required before the bursary is awarded. This evidence will be verified by the Registry Team.
• It was noted that a number of institutions have an upper age limit for an applicant to be eligible (usually around 25 – 28 years of age). However it is suggested this would not be appropriate for students of NFTS, many of whom come to the school at a later age and stage in their career.
• Students on all MA and full time Diploma courses will be eligible, but not those on part time Diploma, Certificate or Short Courses.

Financial support

• An NFTS Bursary to cover the annual tuition fee (currently £14,800 for MA courses). If a student defers they would be entitled to receive the second year tuition fee bursary when they return to studies providing that is within 24 months.
• An additional NFTS Bursary of £5,000 per annum to cover living costs.

Other support

• Eligible to apply for other NFTS bursaries in addition to Care Leavers support
• Priority for the Hardship Fund
• Exclusive access to an E-Mentor (a current student) once accepted. Where possible we will offer a care experienced current student as a mentor. Pairings will be discussed on an individual basis to ensure the greatest support for the new student.
• Events such as open days and induction/welcome events can be tailored to meet the individuals needs i.e. private tour of the school /one to one discussions or meeting with current students/staff/alumni where available.
• Care experienced students will have a single point of contact both pre entry and during their studies at the NFTS, this will be the Head of Outreach. All contact details can be found at the end of this document.
• Expenses will be reimbursed for interview days and/or open day travel/accommodation, provided the applicant meets to required criteria.
• All potential care-experienced students will have the opportunity to meet with the single point of contact during the application, pre entry and enrolment stages of their NFTS journey.

Bursary application process

• Support provided by Student Support and Wellbeing and/or Registry to complete bursary application forms

Student Advocate roles

• The opportunity to be an advocate for the schools outreach programme ‘Access NFTS’ for is open to all, but is particularly encouraged for care experienced students to be role models and support others from similar backgrounds. The outreach programme is designed to engage inform and inspire people about the careers behind the camera in the film TV and Games industry. The marketing department of the NFTS also utilise students to be role models and to inspire potential applicants, demonstrating a range of diverse students at the school, showing it is an option for all.

Future/long term plans

The NFTS is committed to continuously learning from other institutions and listening to the voices of students. We are committed to improving practice and provision for care leavers.

2. A robust employment offer

NFTS is keen to explore how, within our organization, we could respond to this aspect of the Covenant. We are planning to ensure that in the future all job adverts will include a statement confirming we encourage applications from Care Experienced people.  We will continue to explore further ways in which we can engage with organizations to encourage any Care Experienced people to apply for vacancies.

At the NFTS, people are at the heart of what we do. We’re an inclusive employer and are committed to equality of opportunity, and building a culturally diverse workforce. NFTS welcomes applications from Care Experienced individuals. We are committed to being an anti-racist organization and to increasing our representation of staff from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. We strongly encourage applications from all backgrounds.

The NFTS is an equal opportunities employer, with a commitment to providing an inclusive environment for staff and students. We currently advertise all roles across a range of job sites to ensure we attract candidates from diverse backgrounds.

We ensure we advertise all our roles in a number of diverse and accessible platforms. We will continue to review where we advertise to ensure we are reaching individuals from Care Experience backgrounds.

NFTS commits to adding additional text to the inclusion statement on our jobs web page to encourage applications from Care Experienced individuals.

As part of our commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant, we will offer a guaranteed interview to any care leaver who applies for a role at NFTS, provided that they meet the essential criteria for the role.  The following statement will be included on all of our job web page: ‘If you are a care leaver who is applying to a role at NFTS please email recruitment@nfts.co.uk to inform them that you are a care leaver and ask to be considered for interview as part of the Care Leaver Covenant, if the essential criteria is met.’

We will forward details of any job adverts to CLC and Care Creatives so they can share these with the network of Care experienced individuals who are looking for job opportunities.

3. Community

Promotion of offer/events

Working with advocacy groups around the UK we would ensure information about opportunities available is getting to the desired target audience through well-established networks with pre-existing relationships within the care experienced community.