Independent Students, Young Parents and Care Experienced Young People
Independent Students, Young Parents and Care Experienced Young People
Additional Study SupportStudent Wellbeing and SafetyMental Health Self HelpWorking to Keep You SafeStudent PledgeYoung Adult Carers- Independent Students, Young Parents and Care Experienced Young People
We understand that everyone’s journey is unique. That means that the support people need to succeed at college is unique.
No matter whether you are a care experience young person, a young parent, or an independent student we make sure that you the support you get at Leicester College is personalised to meet your needs.
You will be allocated a learning mentor, who will work with you as soon as you start at college. They can help you with things like developing techniques for studying, balancing home and college responsibilities, managing relationships with housemates, family and other people in your personal life, and making sure you settle well into college. This means that you won’t be alone to deal with any challenges you may come across.
All students have access to free and confidential counselling and mental health services, and sexual health clinics.
We have two nurseries at the college, one at our Abbey Park Campus and the other at Freemen’s Park Campus, which any student can apply to use.
Care experienced young people
Anyone who has been in or is currently in care or from a looked-after background at any stage of their life, no matter how short, including adopted people who were previously in care.
Our Student Support Co-ordinator is our Care Experienced Young People (CEYP) Designate. They will oversee all your education plans and be in contact with your social worker and Virtual School.
At least twice a year you will have the chance to talk about your Personal Education Plan (PEP) with staff from the college. This is to help make sure that you are meeting your targets as well as getting the personalised support you need. It’s a time to tell us how you feel about college and let us know if there is anything else you need from us.
Young parents
People who are under 20 and expecting or caring for their own child and studying on a publicly funded full or part time course.
Independent students
You are an independent student if you receive universal credit and are aged 16-18 and either:
live independently or
a single parent still living in your parent home.
We know that money can be a worry. We have a number of ways to support you. Apprentices with the college are not able to access these bursaries or the Learner Support Fund.
There are 2 Learner Support Funds, one for 16-18 year olds and one for people aged 19 or over. These pay for things like bus passes, fees for kits and equipment for your course, and childcare.
If you are under 19 you do not have to pay course fees. If you are 19 or over whether you have to pay for course fees depends on what qualifications you already have.
We can also provide advice and guidance about funding and loans for education if you need it.
There are also bursaries available for care experienced young people and independent students to help with the cost of coming to college. These are paid term time only and are subject to you have no unauthorised absences.
Independent students receive £33 a week.
16-18 year olds looked after children receive £30 a week.
Care experienced people aged 19 and over receive £33 a week
To receive the bursaries you have to apply for the Learner support Fund.
Young parents may also be able to receive help with the cost of childcare through the government’s Care to Learn scheme.
If you need help before you start college deciding what you would like to study, we have free and independent careers advisors.
To help you make the move to college we hold events where you can discover more about the college and meet staff. At these you’ll also find out about our dedicated support to care experienced young people. Keep an eye out for these events.
Once you have applied, you’ll be invited to come to college during the summer to our special transition events.
For more information on the support we provide for here at Leicester College call 0116 224 2240 and ask for the Mentoring Team Leader.