Guide for students with a Care background
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Welcome to the University of Chichester A University with a commitment to help all its students fulfil their potential
“From the first time I visited the University of Chichester, I knew it was for me. It is a great chance to meet lots of different people from different backgrounds. I would really recommend you come on a taster day and meet the lecturers, they are really friendly and you will love it here!” Lucy Keyamo, English and Creative Writing
The University of Chichester is committed to offering extra support to those students who have been in local authority care. Our optional package offers these students financial, educational and emotional support to help them fulfil their potential whilst studying with us here at Chichester. What do we offer students who have a Care Background? We have provided this Guide as a starting point to help applicants understand what is available for Care Leavers. The University has appointed a Care Leavers’ Co-ordinator to provide a central point of contact . This should minimise any difficulties applicants might have in being fully informed about entry to higher education. Advice and guidance is offered pre-entry, during the admissions process and throughout the course of study at the University. All communication with our Care Leavers’ Co-ordinator is confidential. What is the process? If you tell us that you have at some time been in local authority care, either on your UCAS application or via an alternative entry route, your details will be forwarded to our Care Leavers’ Co-ordinator. We will then ask you for some information relating to your time in care and permission to contact the relevant local authority. Once this is received your application for the Care Leavers Package will go before our Care Leavers Review Panel who will consider such applications on an individual basis.
For those whose application is approved by the Care Leavers Review Panel, the University of Chichester’s package for those with a care background consists of: • A Care Leavers’ Bursary - currently £2,000 per annum payable in two instalments for 2011-12 • The offer of campus accommodation 365 days a year charged at the current rate (subject to applications being received by our Admissions Office by 15 January and campus accommodation requests being received by our Accommodation Office by 31 May) • A named Student Advisor throughout your stay at University Communication All communication with the Care Leavers Co-ordinator is strictly confidential. We will, however, ask whether we can share this information for example, with our Finance and Accommodation offices but we can always agree on a one-to-one basis a protocol for sharing any relevant information. A discreet email address has been set up for communication between any students and our Care Leavers Coordinator and students will also be given the name of a Student Advisor who has a designated role of working confidentially with any of our students.
Want to find out more? For more information on any of the above please feel free to contact us. Please note all enquiries will be confidential. Carole Nairn Tel: 01243 812169 Email: clc@chi.ac.uk
Admissions Process for Care Leavers to University of Chichester All correspondence and communication with Applicant/Student to go through the Care Leavers Co-ordinator (CLC) Applicant
Admissions
Applicant
• Self identities on UCAS form
• Send letter and form to applicant requesting further information • Letter signed by CLC
• Responds directly to CLC
CLC
• CLC obtains confirmation from relevant local authority to confirm time in care
Review Panel
• Consider application for extra support/provision on case by case basis
CLC
• Advises applicant of outcome and ensures they have all necessary paperwork and information
CLC
Contacts: • Student Support to arrange additional tutor support • Finance for bursary details • Accommodation requirements
CLC
• Arranges for welcome message/meeting for student on arrival at university
Please note this process applies to applications received by our Admissions Office on or before 15th January. Late applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
www.chi.ac.uk