What is a care-experienced student?
We use the broader definition of ‘care-experienced’ as this is inclusive of the range of care settings someone may have experienced. The term is used to refer to those who, at any stage of their life and for any length of time, have been in care in the UK. This will apply to you if you have:
- Spent time in the care of the local authority (e.g. foster care or children’s home)
- Been privately fostered
- Been ‘looked after at home’ under a supervision order
- Been in kinship care (where a friend or family member becomes the foster carer). This can be through a formal arrangement, recognised by the local authority, and could be prior to a Special Guardianship Order.
We respect your confidentiality, and our small team is the only people who’ll contact you about being care-experienced. No one else within the University will be informed unless you choose to tell them.
If you’re care-experienced, but your personal circumstances don’t match the above criteria, please contact us.
How we can help you
We understand that as a care-experienced person, you may have additional questions and concerns about university. That’s why we offer dedicated, bespoke support for any care-experienced person considering higher education.
We can offer help with:
- Liaising with local authority staff, support workers, or carers (with your consent) about what we can offer. We can even attend or contribute to your Personal Education Plan (PEP) meetings if you want us to.
- Attending university events – we can accompany you to Open Days, campus tours, Applicant Days, and interviews. We can even attend your graduation ceremony and help cover the cost of your gown and photo package.
- Arriving and settling in – support with moving into accommodation and getting to know the campus and local area
- Student finance and funding – guidance on applying for financial support, budgeting, and accessing additional funding you may be eligible for
- Studying and exams – we can help you during any stressful times by meeting up for a chat over a coffee, speaking to your tutor or Programme Leader on your behalf, and signposting you to relevant support services
- Employment – help with job searching, applications, and connecting with our careers service, whether you're looking for graduate opportunities or part-time work over the summer
- Mental health and wellbeing – access to professional support to look after your emotional wellbeing throughout your studies
- Ongoing personal support – we’ll be your central point of contact for any questions, concerns, or issues that may come up. You can meet with us in person, talk by phone, or connect via email or Microsoft Teams.
- Annual check-ins – we’ll meet with you at the start of each academic year to review your support and make sure you have everything you need.
Our aim is to help you make informed choices, feel part of our community, and reach your full potential – both academically and personally.
"When I looked online and saw the We Care team and what they offered, I knew I wanted to study here. I knew the support at Sunderland was real; it wasn’t false promises. It would have been a lot harder to come to university without the support I’ve had, and it was really challenging anyway! When you’re in care, you think that university is for posh kids from good backgrounds. It’s totally not like that. Everyone is welcome here." Gabby Turner, care-experienced student.
Financial support
We understand that some students may encounter money worries at some point during their studies, but you’re not alone. You may be entitled to:
- We Care Bursary – a £2,500 bursary awarded for each year of full-time study on an undergraduate or taught postgraduate course
- Local authority support – if you're supported by your local authority, they can provide you with a minimum support package of £2,000 for the duration of your course. Many will provide you with more support (it can be useful to have this agreed in writing.)
- Student Support Fund – a non-repayable hardship fund to help you with unexpected costs or serious financial problems
- Other scholarships and bursaries – we offer a range of other scholarships and bursaries you may be entitled to.
You can find out more information by visiting our scholarships and bursaries and financial support pages, or by contacting us.
Contact us
Wendy Price, Head of Widening Access and Participation, is our dedicated contact for care-experienced students. Any contact is kept confidential, and your choices are always respected.
If you have any questions, you can contact the team on 0191 515 2216 or by email at care.contact@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab).
Financial support contacts
- Student Financial Guidance: 0191 515 2284 or studentfinancialguidance@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab)
- Scholarships and Bursaries: 0191 515 2865 or scholarships@sunderland.ac.uk(opens in new tab).