At Liverpool John Moores University, we have a long history of supporting care experienced young people in progressing to higher education. Through our award winning John Lennon Imagine Award scheme and our programme of outreach activities we offer a range of initiatives to encourage care experienced young people to consider university study as an option for them and provide extensive support throughout each student’s time at the University. In addition we were one of the first universities to sign up to the government’s Care Leaver Covenant and are a member of the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers.
We work in partnership with Virtual Schools, Local Authorities and other organisations to support each care-experienced student studying at LJMU. This close collaboration enables both the University and Local Authority to provide targeted, flexible support to meet each student’s needs at each level of study. Our students tell us that this 1:1 approach is the most important aspect of the support that we offer
Some examples of our current provision include:
- CAMPUS VISITS Throughout the academic year we host a variety of on-campus events specifically targeted at looked after young people. Activities include our annual Summer residential experience, bespoke campus visits and National Care Leavers Week events.
- MENTOR ME Through our Mentor Me programme, we work in partnership with local schools, colleges and the surrounding local authorities to offer one-to-one pastoral mentoring to looked after young people delivered by current LJMU students.
- REDUCED OFFER LJMU supports access for care experienced students through giving reduced admissions offers to students who meet the criteria. Students can benefit from a reduced offer of up to two grades lower than the University’s standard entry requirements.
- INFORMATION ADVICE AND SUPPORT FROM A DEDICATED MEMBER OF STAFF Our dedicated member of staff within our Student Advice and Wellbeing team, Phil Bakstad, can provide information, advice and guidance to Care Leavers considering studying at LJMU, their supporters and Local Authority colleagues. Phil can arrange individual campus visits and support throughout each stage of the application process. In partnership with John Moores Students Union, we offer a range of transition events to prepare Care Leavers in their transition to studying at LJMU.
- THE JOHN LENNON IMAGINE AWARD Our John Lennon Imagine Award provides targeted support to Care Leavers studying at LJMU. We offer:
- Ongoing 1:1 support through a dedicated member of staff (Phil Bakstad) in Student Advice and Wellbeing Services.
- Access to 365-day accommodation in an LJMU partner hall and support in choosing the most appropriate accommodation for each individual student.
- An annual bursary of a minimum of £1000 through our John Lennon Imagine Award Care Leaver bursary.
- Specific initiatives to enable students to develop their employability skills and future career prospects
- In partnership with the Unite Foundation, the Unite Foundation Scholarship which provides 3 years free accommodation to Care Leavers and students who are estranged from their families.
This is just a snapshot of the wide range of support we offer to care-experienced young people at Liverpool John Moores University. We are always keen to identify new opportunities to work together with partner organisations so please do contact us to discuss how we can work with you to support your young people.
Contact:
Phil Bakstad- Student Inclusion Lead
Catherine Shillito- Account Manager
You can also find out more about our offer and courses on the Propel website