At Sheffield Hallam University we have a long-standing commitment of supporting care experienced students, being one of the first of six Higher Education Institutions to be awarded the Frank Buttle Quality Mark in 2006, 2010 and 2013 at exemplary level. We are proud to be an earlier adopter of the Care Leaver Covenant and an active member of the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers. We participate in national initiatives to show our support to care experienced people such as Care Leavers Week.
We aim to support anyone with experience of being in care during their journey into University and throughout their time at Sheffield Hallam University, as a student and beyond as a graduate.
If you are deciding if University is right for you…
We support young people in care to make informed choices about their future through the funding (in joint partnership with the University of Sheffield) of the Higher Education Progression Partnership (HEPP). HEPP completes outreach across the Sheffield City Region with young people in care, working in partnership with Virtual Schools, Local Authorities, Foster Agencies and other organisations and has produced resources such as the “Guide to higher education for care experienced students.” Find out more at https://www.hepp.ac.uk
If you are ready to apply for University…
We understand that you might have particular questions about coming to University if you are leaving care and we have a dedicated team to provide support to anyone who is care experienced during their application to Sheffield Hallam University. The team offer support through the SHU Progress scheme which offers:
- A named contact to answer your questions and offer advice throughout the year of your application.
- Exclusive visits to the University to meet current students and staff.
- Support with travel costs to visit the University for events and open days.
- Support with making the best application to Sheffield Hallam, including interview support.
- Additional consideration in the admissions process based on your personal circumstances.*
- Exclusive updates via email and the SHU Progress online member’s area.
- Support with arranging 365 day accommodation, finding a guarantor and the chance to apply for the Unite Foundation Scholarship, which provides free accommodation for 3 years at University (please note, this is subject to the Unite Foundation).*
- Access to funding when studying at Sheffield Hallam through the Care Leaver Package.*
*Criteria applies
Being on SHU Progress could give you more confidence and peace of mind in applying to University. Previous SHU Progress students have said:
- "Very helpful, all of my questions were answered in depth and I was guided in the right direction for more information if I needed it."
- “My enquiries were responded to quickly, with all the advice and answers I needed to resolve them.”
If you wish to join SHU Progress, please ask a supporter such as a teacher, charity worker or Local Authority Personal Advisor to nominate you to the scheme. Full details about SHU Progress as well as the nomination form can be found here:https://www.shu.ac.uk/shuprogress
To find out more, please contact Lewis Parker from the SHU Progress team at [email protected] or 0114 225 4777
If you are studying at Sheffield Hallam University…
As a care experienced student studying at Sheffield Hallam University, you will be supported by a bespoke support package. You will have access to advisors throughout the University who offer information, advice and guidance, you will also have a named contact within the Inclusive Support service. You are welcome to get in touch with your named contact to ask any questions about University life and the support available. No question is too big or too small. Support can be provided by phone or email to talk briefly about your situation, discuss any issues or concerns and identify sources of support as needed. Your named contact will also send regular newsletters to help you make the most of your time as a student.
Your named contact can help you to access:
- Support from the Student Wellbeing Service
- One-to-one careers and employability advice
- Priority access to our career mentoring scheme
- Support from tutors or other course team staff
- Budgeting and financial advice
- Help with settling in
- Year-round accommodation
- Support for a disability, mental health condition or specific learning difficulty such as dyslexia from the Disabled Student Support Service
Additional funding support may also be available such as:
- The Care Leaver Package consisting of up to £1,500 a year from the Care Leavers Bursary and a further award of £2,000 from the Student Success Scholarship.
- The Access Fund. The fund provides discretionary payments according to student need, for example support with moving costs. It also supports projects that assist with the cost of graduation and support with interview costs for final year students or students applying for a sandwich placement.
- Eligibility criteria applies and you will need to evidence your circumstances.
Additional support from the Careers and Employability Service is also available. A named advisor can support you to find part time work during your studies. All care experienced students are also offered the opportunity to work as a paid student ambassador at University events, where you can share your knowledge and experience with young care experienced people.
To find out more about life as a care experienced student at Sheffield Hallam University please see this video: Life as a care leaver at Sheffield Hallam University - YouTube
You can also view our webpage here to find out further information about support available.
If you have any questions about on course support, you are welcome to get in touch with your named contacts in the Inclusive Support Service at [email protected]