Foster-Care Students Urged To Seek Support

Too many young people who have spent time in care are missing out on much-needed support while at university, according to a foster charity.

The Fostering Network NI has launched its 'Tick the Box' awareness campaign to encourage students who have spent time in care to tick the box on their UCAS form saying they are care experienced.

The care offered "will vary from university to university and can range from additional financial support in the form of a bursary to practical support to help care leavers settle into university, find accommodation or manage finances," the charity said.

Margaret Kelly, director of the Fostering Network Northern Ireland, added: "The Fostering Network Northern Ireland has high aspirations for all young people in care. That is why we are working with the University of Ulster and the Health and Social Care Board to launch this campaign to ensure all those involved in a looked after child’s life enable them to fulfil their aspirations.

"That means foster carers actively supporting young people to go to university, Health Trusts providing funding and support for the young person attending university and the universities themselves offering active support and encouragement.

"The University of Ulster has done just this. The focus of the Tick the Box campaign is to empower care experienced young people to get the advice and support on offer and encourage all of those involved in their lives to support them in doing so.”

Jillian Dalton is the foster carer of a young person intending to go to university next year.

She said: "I am supporting the Tick the Box campaign because I know that as a foster carer you need to go the extra mile to support a looked after young person through their journey of education. This is especially important if you want to help them overcome the barriers they face and to enable them to succeed educationally.

"I welcome this important and positive initiative. It will help looked after young people to access and be supported through third level education, and enable them to achieve their full potential."

The Fostering Network Northern Ireland will be sending information leaflets and promotional products to all young people in care in lower and upper sixth to encourage them to Tick the Box.

The charity will also be writing to schools, encouraging them to be aware of the need for care experienced young people to 'Tick the Box'.

(IT/MH)