Response to SMF report on care experienced students in higher education

02 December 2024

The Social Market Foundation (SMF) has today published a new report, commissioned by Unite Students and the Unite Foundation, recommending more investment in higher education for care experienced and estranged students.

Responding to the report, Maddy Godin, Policy Adviser at the Russell Group, said:

"The SMF’s new report rightly highlights the challenges that care experienced and estranged students face in accessing, and thriving in, higher education. They are currently one of the most under-represented groups in higher education, and it’s important that universities, colleges, charities and others come together to share knowledge and dismantle barriers to education.

"Russell Group universities offer support and resources for care experienced and estranged students, including bursaries, accommodation support and pastoral services. However we recognise that the needs of these students can be complex and multifaceted, and we know there is more that the sector can do to offer consistent, joined-up support to ensure care leavers can benefit from the same opportunities and pathways as their peers".

Read more about how Russell Group universities are supporting under-represented students to succeed in higher education in our briefing.

Related case studies

National recognition for Sheffield counselling service

The University of Sheffield counselling service was the first UK university counselling service to have been awarded a service-wide quality assurance accreditation mark by the Accreditation Programme for Psychological Therapy Services.

Read more >

Russell Group teacher conferences

Teachers play an absolutely vital role in supporting their students to progress to Russell Group universities, and so it is important to develop and maintain a strong dialogue between schools, colleges and our universities. One way our universities are achieving this is by working together to hold Russell Group teacher conferences.

Read more >