Support for care leavers

Who we are

Starting university can be an exciting prospect, but also a daunting one, especially if you're leaving Care. To help you settle in, we've developed a guidance and support package tailored for you.

Our care leaver support is coordinated by Anne McGrath, our Care Leaver Adviser/Co-ordinator, who is based in Student Advice and here to provide confidential guidance and support to you throughout your studies.

University of Westminster, Harrow Campus. A male, on the left (semi profile) showing something on a paper to a female student - close-up

How we can help

How do we define a care leaver?

We define a care leaver as a young person who has been in Local Authority care, including public care, foster care, semi-independent living or residential care homes.

We're committed to supporting care leavers by:

  • working with looked-after young people to help increase the number of care leavers entering higher education
  • raising awareness of the needs of students from care
  • enabling care leavers to make the most of their time in higher education and to complete their courses successfully
  • helping higher education providers to identify how best to support care leavers
  • contributing to a national framework to assist Local Authorities to fulfil their obligations to care leavers

Types of support

We offer a variety of support to care leavers and have provided details of a few key areas below.

For detailed information about all the support available, download our information sheet for care leavers below.

Student accommodation

As a care leaver, you'll be given priority consideration for 365 days per year university student Hall accommodation throughout your studies. 

Make sure that you ask for a letter from your Leaving Care team to confirm that you're a care leaver and require accommodation.

For more details, get in touch with our Student Accommodation team.

Tutorial support

University tutors can provide additional support – speak to your personal tutor.

If you'd like help speaking with your tutor, get in touch with Anne McGrath in Student Advice.

Financial support

Care Leaver Bursary

If you're a home student from the UK, you can apply for a university Care Leaver Bursary for each year of academic study. It’s worth £750 each year. You must provide evidence from your Local Authority that you are a care leaver. You must be enrolled on your course first before you apply.

To check the eligibility criteria and apply for the bursary, please download the form below. Completed applications should be sent by email to the address on the form.

Accommodation scholarships

The University of Westminster is delighted to have a partnership with the Unite Foundation. Each year, Unite offers several full accommodation scholarships for Care Leavers and Estranged students to live in Unite Hall accommodation for the duration of their course.

Applications close on 14 June 2024 for the academic year 2024/25. Please submit your application before the deadline to avoid missing out on this opportunity.

Please visit the Unite Foundation website for the online application form as well as detailed information and guidance.

Employability support

If you need help finding work or exploring careers, get in touch with Janet Willoughby in our Career and Employability Service at .

Further support

contact us

Call our dedicated team and Anne McGrath, Care Leaver Adviser on:

+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 66080

[email protected]