NNECL supports professionals working with students with care backgrounds, who are estranged or seeking sanctuary through four strategic aims:

• INFORM we provide members with access to up-to-date, accurate, useful information for improvement
• SUPPORT we build relationships with people ambitious to transform the learning outcomes of young people in care
• CONNECT we provide networks for members to collaborate and offer members continuous professional development
• CHAMPION we use our collective voice to engage with key influencers and policymakers to ensure our members’ experiences at an operational level are recognised and create positive and lasting change for our young people.

Why join?

Break down barriers. Members demonstrate a proactive approach to dismantling the barriers facing learners from care backgrounds and gain insights and support to meet widening participation plans and statutory targets for this underrepresented group of students.

Peer support and learning opportunities. Members support professional development needs of staff (PA's, Leaving Care teams, Widening Participation Managers, Foster Carers, Youth Workers etc) giving them access to up-to-date information, opportunities to develop based on academic research and emerging practice and sustain effective relationships with other practitioners and policymakers and enhance the impact of their work.

Influence policy. Members inform and influence policy by joining a network committed to transforming the progression of care experienced people into and through further and higher education.

Spend budgets wisely. Membership covers up to six staff and supports the delivery of your organisations commitment to the Equality of Opportunity Risk Register (EORR) and can be included in your Access and and Participation Plan (APP).

Membership benefits

• Inclusive access to our webinar programme covering topical issues, policy developments and new research findings
• One third discount on our Annual Conference tickets for staff in your organisation
• Member only monthly newsletter
• Opportunities to share news, case studies and best practice with our networks
• Informing our future work through our annual priorities survey and member roundtables
• Including the NNECL member logo on your website and paperwork
• Adding your logo to the NNECL Members' Page, and opportunities to promote the support you provide to students
• NNECL presence at two events hosted by your organisation per year

Join using the options below, or please get in touch if you would like to discuss membership further

“My role as a NNECL member has given me the confidence and knowledge to advise my colleagues and senior manager on how we can better support our care experienced students. I am passionate about giving these students a positive experience during their time at university, setting them up for their future careers beyond their time at Huddersfield. By connecting with other NNECL members, I can share my experiences and learn from others. We have a shared commitment to the care experience agenda by giving these students a voice and educating colleagues on how we can best support them.”

Ruth Cohen, Widening Participation Officer and NNECL Y&H Rep, University of York