Thread by @HoyleTime

Ok twitter. Let’s see what this report says. (I’m tipsy and on my train home, apologies) #PositiveImpact

Care experienced students are notably more likely to be women, older, disabled, from minority ethnic communities and holding a nationality other than British. #PositiveImpact

They have lower status entry qualifications (hello contextual offers). More likely to be at an institution that is not within the Russell Group (hello access and participation plans)....3/18 Russell Groups have a target for care leavers iirc.

Underrepresented in natural science / maths / engineering / languages / history / philosophy. Over-represented in social sciences, computer science, law/business/communications and creative arts.

(Strange mix with my stats head on)

Fewer receive a first or a 2:1 (for the non uni people this is the traditional measure of “good degree”). However, given the lower entry qualifications over 50% do get this. (👏)

Ok this is cool. Given their degree classifications Care Experienced graduates did notably BETTER than might have been predicted. (Read: outperformed other students after graduation)

However as @zs_baker stated so eloquently. They are more likely to have taken a job that doesn’t require a degree (because you gotta pay the bills, ya know).

For estranged students there is basically no comprehensive data on access levels, or retention levels. (Great work @StandAloneHE and @ucas_online on that tick box)

.@uni_scot you are too cool. It should be noted that the @officestudents guidance now asks all institutions to extend support beyond the traditional cut off.

Care experienced students struggle to obtain individual specialist advice, or are given inconsistent advice from multiple sources (hello dedicated contact, find yours on propel.org.uk from @Become1992)

The fear of being homeless during vacations (wtf, seriously?), concerns over access to mental health support, and/or fear of debt or porcerty continue to affect choices about what and where to study......I wonder why they are underrepresented in the Russell Group.

Reasons for considering withdrawing include ACCOMMODATION ISSUES, financial difficulties and the loss of personal support networks. (Which clearly financial issues contribute to the others).

Honestly, some of this is pretty damning for the sector. Support received cake from their peers offering temporary accommodation and lending money......THATS WHAT WE ARE HERE FOR, NO?

Oh lawd, it’s going to be a long train I feel.

The majority of institutions don’t offer the same support to estranged students as to care leavers. This means they can only access help at the point of crisis (good work, guys).

University culture can alienate these students because POVERTY inhibited them from becoming fully involved in social activities (😭😭😭).

Feeling more proud of providing free freshers wristbands this year.

(Interrupting this thread to say that I can’t tell if the person sat behind me is crying or laughing right now, either way it is audible)

Transition out of the institution is a huge problem - where the symptoms are exhibited before that point because of the fear of impending cliff edge (hello worse degree attainment).

Ahhh good. Sad stats time has finished.

What should institutions actually do to help? Let me tell ya.

Be expansive in your definition of care leaver (hello care experienced) and estranged (don’t do that 12 month thang, it sucks)

Have a single person (and a single disclosure)

Have support which is holistic, relational and characterised by knowledge of the support needs of care experienced/estranged students (hello lived experience)

Strategies should have a whole cycle approach. From pre to post entry.

Extend personal support networks (hello resilience).

Fin.