Carers Federation is working in partnership with Learning and Work Institute (L&W) – funded by the National Lottery Community Fund – to deliver the Quality Standard in Carer Support as part of the Driving Change in Higher Education (HE) project.
We are working with 23 universities across England to enable them to review and improve the support that young adult carers and carers receive at university, by raising awareness, removing some of the barriers carers face, developing appropriate policies and procedures and improving access to support. By understanding young adult carers needs and putting effective support in place universities can ensure that young adult carers can experience improved opportunities to benefit from learning and fulfil their potential.
“These young people deserve to go as far as their talent and hard work will take them, yet research shows that they often don’t feel supported to go to university. Findings from UCAS in 2024 show that almost two thirds (63%) of young adult carers say they did not receive support tailored to their circumstances to apply for HE, and 69% were unaware of the support available for students with caring responsibilities at their university.”
– Team Leader at Kirklees College. Read the full case study here
The Driving Change in Higher Education (HE) project started in March 2024 and runs until March 2027
Carers Federation previously partnered with L&W and delivered the Quality Standard in Carer Support for Further Education (FE) to 39 colleges and college groups across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland between late 2019 and 2022.
Please follow this link to read case studies from colleges involved with this project and visit Learning and Work Institute’s website to find out more.
Although the Driving Change Project is underway there are still options to undertake the QSCS for your university or college. If you would like further information, please contact QSCS@carersfederation.co.uk
View the Driving Change infographic below to see the project’s impact: