Care-experienced young people across seven local authority areas will have greater opportunities to explore higher education thanks to a new long-term partnership.

The partners - Keele University, University of Staffordshire, and Higher Horizons - have committed to delivering an annual University Experience Programme for care-experienced learners across Staffordshire, Stoke-on-Trent, Shropshire, Cheshire East, Derbyshire, Cheshire West and Chester, and Telford & Wrekin.

Supported by all seven local authorities, the programme will see virtual school heads - who champion the education of children in care and care-experienced young people - work closely with the partners to identify and engage young people who could benefit from the initiative.

The programme is designed to address some of the barriers care-experienced young people can face when considering higher education.

These include concerns about affordability, limited access to information and guidance, accommodation worries, and lower levels of progression to university.

Keele University, University of Staffordshire, and Higher Horizons have each supported care-experienced learners through a range of initiatives for many years - including guaranteed 365-day on-campus accommodation in the first year, financial assistance, pre-application guidance and dedicated support throughout their studies.

However, this marks the first time the organisations have come together to deliver a coordinated regional programme focused on widening participation and improving access to higher education.

Ant Sutcliffe, Associate Director for Higher Horizons, a government-funded programme based on Keele University's campus, said: "Students who have care experience have significantly poorer educational and life outcomes than the general population on average and are currently underrepresented in higher education. We want to change that.

"This commitment reflects the strength of collaboration across our region. While many of the support measures available to care-experienced young people and care leavers already exist, bringing them together into a clear, coordinated offer will make it easier for young people to understand the opportunities available at their local universities and access the support they need as they consider higher education.

"Seeing these young people engage naturally with the university environment is a powerful reminder that higher education is accessible, achievable and open to them."

The annual University Experience Programme will include opportunities for participants to visit university campuses, meet staff and students, and gain first-hand insight into university life.

Through tailored activities and guidance sessions, young people will be able to explore the support available to them and learn more about the pathways into higher education.

Adam Hall, Associate Director of Global Student Recruitment, Partnerships and Access at Keele University, said: "Keele was created to be different, with a mission to make a difference in society by providing innovative, high-quality education for students from all backgrounds.

"We know that care-experienced young people can face additional barriers when considering higher education, and it is vital that they have access to the information, guidance and support they need to make informed choices about their future.

"This partnership brings together universities, local authorities and outreach specialists to create a more coordinated and visible offer for care-experienced learners across the region, helping more young people to see higher education as an achievable option and supporting them to succeed when they get here."

The initiative builds on the long-standing commitment of both universities and Higher Horizons to widening participation in higher education.

By bringing existing support measures together under a single regional programme, the partnership aims to make information, opportunities and support easier for care-experienced young people to access and navigate.

Simon Jenkins, Head of Recruitment and Access at University of Staffordshire, said: "We are incredibly proud to be part of this partnership, which reflects a shared commitment to ensuring that care-experienced young people have the opportunities and encouragement they need to fulfil their potential.

"Widening participation is at the heart of what we do, and this initiative builds on our wider commitment to supporting underrepresented groups and removing barriers to success.

"By bringing together schools, virtual schools, local authorities, Higher Horizons and both universities, we can provide a more joined-up approach that raises aspirations, improves outcomes and creates lasting opportunities, helping more care-experienced young people realise their ambitions and succeed.

"Our ambition is to ensure that every care-experienced young person, regardless of their background, can see higher education as a realistic option and has the support and confidence to achieve their goals."

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