Care leavers, estranged students and young carers

Leaving the security of the family home or the familiarity of school can be a daunting time for any student. The financial commitments of a university education are also well documented, but for those who have been through local authority care or have become estranged from their families, the financial and emotional pressures are often greater. Currently, just 13% of students who have left the care system go on to higher education.