Most care experienced people given no guidance when applying to university

Three in five (60%) care-experienced people received no specific guidance at school or college about applying to higher education (HE) – despite the fact mechanisms such as financial bursaries, year-round accommodation, and mental health and disability support could make a difference to their decision.

The findings were revealed in a new report for UCAS.

The report found care-experienced applicants generally have positive expectations of going to university or college, expressing excitement about meeting new people (68%), becoming more independent (66%) and making a fresh start (64%).

UCAS says the lack of support highlights the challenges care-experienced students may face in trying to find the right information when applying to HE or apprenticeships. This could be due to a number of reasons, such as their support network not all having access to the latest or specialist knowledge and resources about UCAS applications, or the specific support available in HE for care-experienced students. It also underlines the importance of teachers, personal advisers and others in connecting prospective students with the right information.

This is significant given the number of UK applicants sharing a care background has almost doubled since the question was first introduced, from 4,495 in 2008 to 8,930 in 2022 – now accounting for 1.6% of all UK applicants.

The report also found that experience of being in care intersects with other personal characteristics which can create additional or hidden barriers. Compared to applicants without a care background, they are almost twice as likely to share a disability, nearly three times more likely to share a mental health condition, and nearly 79% more likely to identify as LGBT+.

Those with care-experience were also significantly more likely to be mature applicants, showing their progression to higher education is often longer – being 69% more likely to apply aged 21 or over.

Additionally, the report highlights that 45% of care-experienced students felt unsupported when exploring apprenticeship options. Previous UCAS research has identified that one in three students do not receive information about apprenticeships.

As a result of these findings, UCAS has made several recommendations aimed at improving the journey to higher education for students from a care background. These include personalised information, advice and guidance, better quality data collection and sharing, and support for Universities UK’s recommendations that universities and colleges should consider implementing minimum entry requirements for care-experienced applicants across the UK.

“Navigating your options when applying for a traditional undergraduate degree or apprenticeships can be daunting for any student but particularly for those who may not have family to turn to for advice,” UCAS Chief Executive Clare Marchant said.

“Our report highlights that while care-experienced students have high expectations and motivations for higher education, a large proportion have little awareness of the support mechanisms in place that can help their progression, lacking crucial information, advice and guidance to support their decision-making.”

Fiona Ellison, Director of Unite Foundation, a partner in the report, welcomed the call to gather and share data in this area, saying this will help to further understand and ultimately improve the university experience for those leaving care.

“Bespoke support for care-experienced students has the power to transform their time at university. We hope this report will encourage colleagues across the sector to review the support they provide and explore what more they could be doing to ensure care leavers are able to benefit equitably from everything university has to offer.”

The report has been welcomed by the John Lewis Partnership, parent company to John Lewis and Waitrose, which has a long-term commitment to support young people leaving care into employment – highlighted in its much-heralded Christmas advert and charity fundraising campaign.

“Ceira Thom, Head of Learning, John Lewis Partnership, said: "Care-experienced young people have huge talent and potential but too often don't have the right support or financial safety net at this crucial time in their lives.”