Care Leavers, Care Experienced and Estranged Students

A Care Leaver is a student who is aged 25 or below on entry and has been formally looked after by a UK local authority. This includes those who were looked after for at least 13 weeks after the age of 14, with their care ending on or after their 16th birthday, as well as students who were privately fostered up to age 16 or were under a Special Guardianship Order, provided they were looked after by the local authority immediately before the order was made.

Care leavers may be eligible for the University’s Care Leaver Bursary and additional support.

An Estranged Student is a student aged 25 or below on entry who has no contact, support, or approval from both parents and is recognised as independent by Student Finance on the basis of estrangement.

To be recognised as estranged for university support purposes, students must have confirmation from Student Finance that they are classified as “independent due to being estranged from their parents.”

Estranged students may be eligible for the University’s Estranged Student Bursary and personalised support.

A Care Experienced Student is any student who has had any experience of care before starting university, regardless of their age at entry. This may include time spent in residential care, foster care, kinship care, or being looked after at home under a supervision requirement, as well as those who have been under a Special Guardianship Order.

Care Experienced status is broader than “care leaver” and can include care that occurred at any age and any age upon entry.

Care Experienced students, not meeting the Care Leaver or Estranged definitions, may be eligible for the University’s Widening Participation and personalised support. 

At the University of Winchester, we are committed to ensuring that Care Experienced and Estranged students can access higher education through inclusive, supportive, and equitable pathways. Our work spans outreach, admissions, partnerships, and practitioner development, ensuring that applicants are supported at every stage of their journey.

Contextual Admissions and Supported Application Routes

As part of our Discover Winchester Scheme, eligible applicants may receive a contextualised offer of up to 16 UCAS points below the standard tariff range, and a Travel Bursary to support attendance at an Experience Winchester Day. 

Care Experienced and estranged applicants also receive a guaranteed invitation to interview, where interviews form part of the admissions process, to ensure fair access and to recognise the impact of disrupted education.

Learn more about the Discover Winchester Scheme

Targeted Outreach, Bespoke Visits, and IAG

Care Experienced and estranged learners are a priority group within our targeted outreach work with partner schools and colleges. In addition, we offer bespoke campus visits and personalised information, advice and guidance (IAG) developed with local authorities, schools, virtual schools, and colleges to ensure support is responsive to learners’ needs and provides an empowering introduction to higher education.

Strategic Networks and Sector Partnerships
Winchester is an active member of the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL), linking closely with the South Hub, and participates in the Southern Universities Care Experienced Network, strengthening regional coordination and practice-sharing across the sector.
As a signatory of the Care Leaver Covenant, we demonstrate our commitment to supporting applicants and students through dedicated transition support, opportunities, and tailored information to smooth their journey into higher education.

Collaboration with Local Authorities and Practitioners

We work closely with local authorities to provide CPD and IAG for social workers, foster carers and related professionals, supporting improved understanding of higher education pathways and ensuring consistent, informed encouragement for Care Experienced young people.

For enquiries about access, outreach or partnerships, contact wp@winchester.ac.uk

At the University of Winchester, we are committed to providing a welcoming, supportive, and empowering environment for all students who have experience of care or who are estranged from their families. We understand that students in these groups may face additional challenges, both financial and personal, and we aim to offer tailored support to help them thrive throughout their university journey.

General Support for All Care Experienced and Estranged Students

All students who identify as Care Experienced or estranged have access to a comprehensive package of support, including:

Dedicated Named Contact
A specialist member of the Student Journey team provides consistent guidance from prearrival through to graduation, helping students navigate university processes, settle into university life, access specialist services, and receive ongoing wellbeing and practical support. arrival through to graduation, helping students navigate university processes, settle into university life, access specialist services, and receive ongoing wellbeing and practical support.

Year-Round Accommodation Support
For students who need stable accommodation beyond standard contract dates, we offer guidance in securing year-round on campus housing, support with accommodation issues throughout the year, and access to emergency or temporary accommodation when unexpected situations arise. 

Wellbeing and Mental Health Support
Students can access counselling and mental health services, attend wellbeing workshops or one-to-one sessions, and receive advice on managing stress, transitions, and independence. 

Practical and Academic Support
We offer help with academic skills, budgeting and day-to-day planning, and we also provide guidance on careers development and support with finding part-time employment.

For support or further information, please contact StudentSupport@winchester.ac.uk 

Care Leaver and Estranged Student Bursary (Undergraduate)

Students who meet the definitions of care leaver or estranged student may be eligible for enhanced financial support, which currently includes:
•    £2,000 per fulltime academic year (excluding repeat years) time academic year
•    £1,000 graduation bursary
•    £75 arrival credit for onsite catering (for students living in university accommodation)

This bursary recognises that students without family networks may have additional financial pressures and fewer financial safety nets.

Widening Participation Bursary (Undergraduate)

Care Experienced students who do not meet the stricter criteria for the Care Leaver/Estranged Bursary may still be eligible for the Winchester Widening Participation Bursary, offering:
•    £750 per fulltime academic year time academic year

Additional Financial Support
Depending on circumstances, students may also access:
•    Emergency hardship funds
•    Winchester Employability Fund
•    Guidance on Student Finance applications
•    Support accessing external grants and charitable funding.
 
Further details about the funding available and how to apply is available on our Undergraduate Scholarships, Bursaries and Awards webpage.

• All of Us (Unite Foundation) – A national community for Care Experienced and estranged students, offering peer support, events, and connection.

• Become – A national charity providing specialist advice, coaching, advocacy, and information for children in care and care leavers.

• Care Leavers Association – A national user-led charity working to improve the lives, rights, and experiences of care leavers of all ages.

• NNECL – National Network for the Education of Care Leavers – A national charity providing resources, guidance and sector specific support for Care Experienced and estranged learners. 

• SUN – Southern Universities Network – A regional partnership offering outreach, information, and advice to support the progression of Care Experienced learners.

•UCAS – Support for Care Experienced Applicants – Guidance, tools, and resources to help Care Experienced students navigate researching courses, applying, and transitioning to university.