Support for Care-Experienced Students, Estranged Students, and Student Carers
At HISA and UHI, we’re passionate about making education accessible for everyone, regardless of background or circumstances. We know that some students face unique challenges, and we’re here to ensure they get the support they deserve.
Care-Experienced Students
UHI is proud to be a Corporate Parent committed to supporting care-experienced students. You're considered care-experienced if you’ve spent time in foster care, residential care, or under local authority supervision.
If you let UHI know you’re care-experienced, they can provide tailored assistance to help you succeed. This includes guidance on navigating student life, access to additional financial aid, emotional support, and even practical help, such as acting as a guarantor for your accommodation if needed.
Our shared goal is to ensure you have all the support you need to complete your course successfully and enjoy a fulfilling and enriching student experience.
Click here to find out who your UHI Care-Experienced Named Contact is at your campus and start your journey with the support you deserve.
Here are a few resources you might find helpful:
- Care-Experienced Bursary: If you’re studying at the HN level or higher, you can apply to SAAS for this bursary. Just tick the box on your usual application form!
Learn more on the SAAS website.
- Extra Support Services: Organisations like Young Scot, Who Cares? Scotland and Child Poverty Action Group provide additional guidance specifically for care-experienced students. Propel Scotland offers a fantastic online resource about funding, accommodation, and course comparisons across colleges and universities in Scotland and the UK. The Why Not Trust believes in the power of meaningful relationships for those with care experience. They support young people moving on from care and have expanded their focus to help people at all stages of life, especially when they become parents or students.
Estranged Students
We understand that not everyone has the support of their parents or guardians. Estranged students face unique challenges, often navigating education independently. Reasons for estrangement vary and may include family conflict, homelessness, or rejection for being LGBTQ+. Whatever your story, we’re here for you.
Here’s what you need to know:
- Evidencing Your Circumstance: Estrangement is usually defined as a permanent and irrevocable breakdown in the parental/child relationship. You may be asked to establish this circumstance by gathering evidence to access funding available to estranged students. You can get more advice about this from the SAAS guide on Support for Estranged Students by chatting with your local Student Support or the Advice Service.
- Dedicated Wellbeing Help: As you may not have the support networks that other students do, we understand you might need more help. UHI's mental health and wellbeing teams are there to help you. Reach out to Student Support at your local campus for more guidance and support.
- Extra Support Services:
- Stand Alone offers support services to prevent estranged adults from becoming vulnerable.
- EaCES Handbook is a site created by estranged students to summarise all the advice and information available to support students in higher and further education and to share lived experiences.
- This is Us (community) is an online space to unite estranged and care experienced students and recent graduates in the UK. The idea is to connect and build student-led spaces to feel a greater sense of connection and belonging.
- Support from Barnardo's if you are a young person leaving care with things like finding somewhere to live, finding work or training and accessing mental health support.
Student Carers
Balancing studies while caring for someone is no small feat. If you’re looking after a family member or friend who depends on you due to illness, disability, mental health challenges, or addiction, you’re not alone. UHI is dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment for student carers. They aim to ensure you have a positive experience while completing your course.
If you identify as a carer, UHI can offer tailored support to help you navigate your university journey. This includes providing guidance, emotional support, and practical assistance to help you balance your commitments and maximise your time as a student.
Let UHI know you’re a carer so they can ensure you have the support you need to thrive.
Here’s how UHI can support you:
- Wellbeing and emotional support: If you are experiencing stress or want to talk to someone, whichever UHI location you are based will have access to a counselling service or someone to talk to. UHI also provides a wide range of mental health support services.
- Your local UHI Student Funding Team will help you explore your options and arrange the support you need.
- Student Carers Dependants’ Grant: If the person you care for is financially dependent on you, you may be eligible for this grant through SAAS.
Find out more on the SAAS website.
- Additional Resources:
- Carers Trust Scotland: You can find your nearest Carer Centre by typing your postcode into the ‘Find local care and carer service’ search bar on the Carers Trust Scotland website. Your nearest Carers Trust Scotland Network Partner Carers Centre will be able to give you more information on what support is available in your local area, including respite and your entitlements under the Carers Act (2016).
- 10 Top Tips for Young Adult Carers Off to University from Mobilise
- MECOPP supports Black and Minority Ethnic carers to access support and services suitable for their personal situations.
- Take A Break - Family Fund's Take a Break Fund supports families and carers of disabled children and young people to take a short break.
Need More Help?
You don't have to navigate these challenges alone, whether you’re care-experienced, estranged, or a student carer. Reach out to us, and let’s work together to ensure you have the best experience possible.
Contact your local UHI Student Support Team or the HISA Advice Service for more information.
We’re here to help you thrive—no matter your journey!