Carers

Examples

Initial analysis of providers' 2020-21 to 2024-25 access and participation plans indicates that some of the approaches to addressing the needs of carers are in the early stages of development.

Examples which you may find helpful in developing your own approaches are included below. Some of these approaches may not yet be fully evaluated.

We will update this page with more examples of effective practice as we identify them. If you have, or are aware of, examples of effective practice in this area please contact [email protected].

Residential programmes and support at The University of Winchester

The University of Winchester is working closely with a local National Citizen Service (NCS) provider to develop innovative new residential programmes tailored for young carers.

The programmes will draw together aspects of the university’s award-winning targeted young carers outreach with the well-established NCS model.

The university will also support young adult carers in the application and pre-enrolment stage and offer a package of support through its Lady Mary Bursary.

Summer school and young carers’ qualification at The University of Surrey

During the summer of 2019 the university delivered its third Discover University residential summer school programme for young carers. 32 young carers in years 9, 10, and 11 took part from 16 schools across Hampshire, Berkshire and Surrey.

The programme, which included subject tasters, skills training and information, advice and guidance, was supported by student ambassadors who also have caring responsibilities.

Building on feedback from the previous year, the 2019 programme also included information about post-16 options and included a trip to a college campus.

Feedback showed that this has been a beneficial part of the programme and increased students’ understanding of the different pathways to higher education. Participants felt more confident that they could study at university in the future (97 per cent after the programme compared to 34 per cent before the programme, an increase of 63 per cent).

The university is also exploring the possibility of developing a qualification for young carers in collaboration with local stakeholders. This programme will assist young carers in realising and utilising their skillset as well as giving them formal recognition, which could help them progress to further education or employment.

University of Hull’s Greenpower project and carers’ residential

For the last two years a team of local young carers aged 11-16 have been supported to design, build and race their own kit car as part of a project to inspire young people to excel in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects.

The Greenpower project is run as a collaboration between the Schools and Colleges Liaison Service, the University of Hull Engineering department and Barnardo’s Young Carers and Siblings Support Service.

The university has also organised and delivered three successful residentials for young carers from Yorkshire and Humberside. Since starting in 2014, the residential has gained momentum each year, gaining more applications from young carers, engaging with more schools and developing relationships with young carer organisations.