HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY
LOOKED-AFTER & LEAVING CARE SERVICE
OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
2013-14
Contents
Purpose / Page 2Policy statement / Page 2
Application / Page 3
Definitions / Page 4
Procedures / Page 5
Appendices:
A1 Students on 3 year undergraduate degrees beginning September 2009 and later. / Page 7
A2 Students on 3 year undergraduate degree beginning September 2008. / Page 8
A3 Students on programmes funded by Vocational Bursaries. / Page 9
A4 Courses lasting 2 years and third year conversions. / Page 9
A5 Courses lasting 5 years. / Page 10
B Pastoral support process. / Page 11
C Timeline for application process. / Page 12
D Useful information and contacts for the application process. / Page 16
Last revised5thFebruary 2013
HIGHER EDUCATION POLICY
LOOKED-AFTER & LEAVING CARE SERVICE
OXFORDSHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL
DATE OF COMMENCEMENT
This policy comes into effect for young engaging in Higher Education courses from the 1st of September 2009.
PURPOSE
Under the Children (Leaving Care) Act 2000 the local authority has a duty to support young people leaving care in Higher Education. This support has multiple elements including financial, practical and emotional support. Under the Children Act 1989 (Higher Education Bursary)(England) Regulations 2009 the local authority has a duty to pay a bursary to each young person leaving care engaging in qualifying courses of a minimum of £2000.
The outcome this policy is to achieve is a clear, consistent and coherent policy which ensures that young people leaving care are not disproportionately disadvantaged financially in engaging in Higher Education, that care leavers are supported to engage widely in the full range of opportunities within their Higher Education setting and to achieve as highly as possible in order to progress into a positive graduate opportunity and secure long-term economic well-being.
The objective of this policy is to produce a financial schedule setting out financial support for young people engaging in Higher Education, the arrangements for accommodation for these young people throughout their course, a timeline of significant activities and events within the process of thinking about applying to university through to starting and settling in order that those working with these young people are able to monitor progress and support where appropriate and a pastoral process to ensure robust frameworks of emotional and academic support are in place around the young person.
The purpose of this policy document is to establish the principles for implementing the Higher Education policy by the Looked-after and Leaving Care teams.
POLICY STATEMENT
Both service user participation and regular review informed by experience gained through implementation of services are key underpinning elements of policy development within the leaving care service. This policy is informed by both of these processes.
As good corporate parents we want to ensure that young people leaving care are supported to aspire to and engage in Higher Education where this is the most appropriate route for their academic, professional and personal development. We aim to support our young people in a way that will be in line with their peers, both in terms of their financial situation during their degree and in the amount of debt they accumulate by completion. Much of this financial support is delivered through national government funding schemes and specific legislation around local authority support for care leavers. In addition to this, Oxfordshire County Council provides a package of supplementary financial support to meet specific Higher Education related expenses that might not be easily met through the national frameworks.
We aim to support our young people to engage in a pastoral network that will enable them to succeed in all areas of their Higher Education experience. This includes support in accessing the individual Higher Education Institution’s (HEI) pastoral support system, links with the Frank Buttle Trust and individual communication between leaving care PAs and the HEI as well as wrap around support during vacation periods.
As good corporate parents we expect that young people coming up through local authority care will have had on-going input around key life skills such as money management, healthy living and cooking skills, self-care and presentation skills and that they will be well placed to manage their independent situation. However, it is also expected that the local authority, as good parents, will continue to work on these issues with young people throughout their Higher Education career.
Decision-making is made at ground level on a daily basis according to the policy via the Pathway Plan and subject to the monitoring and quality assurance procedures in place for this service.
APPLICATION
This policy applies to all young people leaving care engaging in an agreed full-time Higher Education qualification as detailed in their Pathway Plan.
This includes any care leaver who is under the age of 21 at the point that the course is agreed with the looked-after and leaving care service, even if they have not started the course by the age of 21, and who will complete by their 25th birthday.
Under the Children Act 2008 this also includes young people re-engaging with the service post 21 years of age where it is assessed that support from the looked-after and leaving care service is appropriate.
This policy expects that all young people engaged in Higher Education and covered by this policy will apply for all funding they are eligible for and that they will apply for a student bank account with an interest free overdraft.
Any earned income generated by the student during their studies will not affect the financial schedule. In this way it is hoped the young person will minimise their total debt on completion.
DEFINITIONS
Higher Education qualification/course
Any first government funded or vocationally bursaried full-time programme at level 4 or above in the National Qualifications Framework. For example, Undergraduate Degree, Foundation Degree or Higher National Diploma.
Higher Education Institution
Any organisation delivering a course as defined above. For example, a university or a FurtherEducationCollege delivering Higher Education programmes.
Government funding
Local Education Authority Funding administered via the local LEA for students starting courses in 2007 or earlier and via Student Finance England for those starting courses in 2008 and later. This funding includes the Fees Loan, Maintenance Grant, Maintenance Loan, Disabled Student Allowance and Dependents’ Allowance.
Vocational Bursary
Certain specified vocational Higher Education qualifications are funded by national bursary awards instead of government funding. For example, some nursing degrees, teaching degrees and social work degrees. Where this is the case the financial schedule replaces ‘LEA funding’ with ‘Vocational Bursary Funding’ but the rest of the schedule remains the same.
University Bursary
Most universities offer a minimum annual bursary to all students. The amount the university sets this bursary at is decided by the individual university. As care leavers are entitled to the full maintenance grant they will automatically be entitled to the full university bursary.
Local Authority Bursary
£2000 bursary to be paid by the Local Authority to all care leavers supported in Higher Education by the leaving care service [Children Act 1989 (Higher Education Bursary)(England) Regulations 2009]. The guidance sets out specific payment timeframes which are reflected in the financial schedule. This guidance applies to students starting courses in 2008 and later.
Local Authority additional funding
Additional financial assistance offered by Oxfordshire County Council not prescribed by any of the above legislation or guidance.
PROCEDURES
Delivery
Leaving Care PAs will support young people to understand the various funding streams for Higher Education and the role of the looked-after and leaving care service within it. Leaving care PAs will support the young person to understand the policy as a whole and to the financial and pastoral support available.
Monitoring and quality assurance
Leaving Care PAs are responsible for decision-making against the policy via the Pathway Plan which is subject to quality assurance by the team manager.
The EET co-ordinator is available in a consultative capacity for both young people and their PAs.
Consent
Under the Data Protection Act 1998 it is the right of all our young people over statutory school age to withhold consent to share information.
As relates to this policy, it is the young person’s right to:
- withhold consent for the leaving care service to inform HEIs of their care leaver status.
Where this is the decision of the young person this will be respected.
Where the looked-after and leaving care service is unable to communicate with the HEI in order to fully support a young person who is failing in their course the looked-after and leaving care service will be unable to continue to offer financial support.
Appendices
A. Financial schedules.
A1 Students on 3 year undergraduate degrees beginning September 2009 and later.
A2 Students on 3 year undergraduate degree beginning September 2008.
A3 Students on 3 year undergraduate degree beginning September 2007 or before.
A4 Students on programmes funded by Vocational Bursaries.
A5 Courses lasting 2 years and third year conversions.
A6 Courses lasting 5 years.
B. Pastoral support process.
C. Timeline for application process.
D. Useful information and contacts for the application process.
Appendix A1
OxfordshireCounty Council Higher Education Financial Schedule
Students on 3 year undergraduate degree beginning September 2009 or later
(Financial information updated Feb 2013 to reflect 2013/14 entry cycle)
Source / What / Amount / Re-payable / Payment scheduleGovernment Funding
(Student Finance England) / Fees loan. / Up to £9,000 max p.a. / Yes / Paid direct to university.
Maintenance loan. / Up to £3,823 p.a.
Up to (£5,998 p.a. in London) / Yes / Termly to student = 9 payments in total over 3 year degree course.
Maintenance grant. / £3,354 p.a. / No / Termly to student = 9 payments in total over 3 year degree course.
Dependents’ and Disability Allowances. / Depending on circumstances as assessed by Student Finance England / No / Termly to student = 9 payments in total over 3 year degree course.
Higher Education Institution / National Scholarship Programme/ Bursary / Variable dependent on HEI / No / Termly to student = 9 payments in total over 3 year degree course.
Local Authority Bursary / Local Authority Bursary. / £250 per payment to make a total of £2000 over 8 terms. / No / Termly to student in December, March and June until March of the final year inclusive = 8 payments over 3 year degree totalling £2000
Local Authority Additional Funding / SUHA allowance if needed e.g. kitchenware and linen. / As needed. / No / Direct to student or shop as arranged with LCPA.
Computer if needed. / Max £500 / No / Direct to student or shop as arranged with LCPA.
Travel to and from university at the beginning and end of term. Plus one ‘family’ contact per term (as agreed with LCPA). / Depending on distance. / No / Direct to student as arranged with LCPA.
Term-time bus pass if needed. / Depending on circumstances. / No / Direct to student as arranged with LCPA.
Essential Reading. / As needed. / No / At beginning of both semesters direct to student as arranged with LCPA.
Vacation accommodation. / £75 per vacation week. / No / Direct to student on a weekly basis until end of August after completion of degree.
Leisure / Via university facilities where possible. / No / One leisure activity per year including kit.
Health / Student to apply for HC1 support. Exceptional health costs to be discussed with LCPA. Travel to hospital appointments outside the young person’s locality paid by local authority. / No / HC1 support as directed on the form.
Any additional payments direct to student as arranged with LCPA.
Graduation -photos, gown hire and contribution to ball ticket etc. / As needed. / No / One-off in final term.
Completion grant / £1000 / No / August after successful completion of degree only.
It is suggested that LCPAs complete a one-off finance form for the Local Authority Bursary at the same time as they complete the on-going vacation accommodation paperwork at the end of each term to ensure timely payment.
The £1000 will be paid to the student as a lump sum on receipt of final results confirming the young person’s successful completion of their degree.
Many universities have additional funding sources available and it is important that the young person is supported to apply for everything once they have enrolled (see appendix B).
Appendix A2
Students on 3 year undergraduate degree beginning September 2008
The new Local Authority Bursary regulations also apply to those students who started in 2008 and are already one year into their degree[1]. These students will join the schedule for 2009 starters in year 2. This means that they will receive the remaining £1750 of the £3000 completion grant they had originally expected in August on completion. These students will need to be informed of the change to the schedule.
Year of course / Term / Dates / Payment amount / Payment dateYear 1 / Term 1 / Oct-Dec / £0 (n/a) / December
Term 2 / Jan-Mar / £0 (n/a) / March
Term 3 / Apr-Jun / £0 (n/a) / June
Year 2 / Term 1 / Oct-Dec / £250 / December
Term 2 / Jan-Mar / £250 / March
Term 3 / Apr-Jun / £250 / June
Year 3 / Term 1 / Oct-Dec / £250 / December
Term 2 / Jan-Mar / £250 = final payment of £2000 LA Bursary / March
Term 3 / Apr-Jun / None / n/a
Completion grant / Completion / August / £1750 / August
Oxfordshire County Council wishes to offer these students a choice (assuming they are on course to complete successfully) of remaining with the original schedule (see appendix A7) and receiving the full £3000 on completion of their degree or pulling some of that final payment forward to have now to subsidise their final year (to be negotiated with their PA). This will mean they will receive a reduced final payment on completion.
Appendix A3
Students on programmes funded by Vocational Bursaries
These students (starting in Sept 2008 or later)are eligible for the Local Authority Bursary as set out in the two tables above but willalso receive non-repayable payments from the relevant funding body which replace the Fees Loan, Maintenance Loan and Maintenance Grant. They are entitled to all other funding contained within the schedule above except the £1000 grant on completion as they will not have accrued the level of debt of those receiving fees and maintenance loans. This means they will receive the £2000 Local Authority Bursary over the duration of the degree but will not receive the additional £1000 grant on completion.
Appendix A4
Courses lasting 2 years and third year conversions
For courses lasting 2 years, for example Foundation Degrees and HND qualifications, there is no grant on completion as the student will have had the full £2000 bursary. If the student converts a 2 year qualification in to a full degree then they will receive the remaining £1000 they would usually receive on completion as a payment of £250 per term for terms 1 and 2 then a grant of £500 on successful completion.
Year of course / Term / Dates / Payment amount / Payment dateYear 1 / Term 1 / Oct-Dec / £333 / December
Term 2 / Jan-Mar / £333 / March
Term 3 / Apr-Jun / £333 / June
Year 2 / Term 1 / Oct-Dec / £333 / December
Term 2 / Jan-Mar / £333 / March
Term 3 / Apr-Jun / £335 / June before end of course
Completion / n/a / August / None / n/a
Year 3 to convert to full degree where undertaken / Term 1 / Oct-Dec / £250 / December
Term 2 / Jan-Mar / £250 / March
Term 3 / Apr-Jun / None / n/a
Completion grant / Completion / August / £500 / August
Appendix A5
Courses lasting 5 years
The principles applying to 3 year undergraduate degree apply as per usual.
The schedule below sets out the schedule for the Local Authority Bursary and the Completion Grant. For undergraduate degrees lasting longer than three years, for example medicine and dentistry, the full £2000 bursary is to be paid no later than four weeks after the beginning of the fourth year. These students will receive the £2000 bursary in the same instalments as those studying on three year course up to and including term 2 or year 3. Instead of these students receiving £1000 on completion, they would then receive this total divided into equal termly payments with a final payment of £100 in the final term.
Year of course / Term / Dates / Payment amount / Payment dateYear 1 / Term 1 / Oct-Dec / £250 / December
Term 2 / Jan-Mar / £250 / March
Term 3 / Apr-Jun / £250 / June
Year 2 / Term 1 / Oct-Dec / £250 / December
Term 2 / Jan-Mar / £250 / March
Term 3 / Apr-Jun / £250 / June
Year 3 / Term 1 / Oct-Dec / £250 / December
Term 2 / Jan-Mar / £250 = final payment of £2000 LA Bursary / March
Term 3 / Apr-Jun / £150 (brought forward completion grant) / June
Year 4 / Term 1 / Oct-Dec / £150 (brought forward completion grant) / December
Term 2 / Jan-Mar / £150 (brought forward completion grant) / March
Term 3 / Apr-Jun / £150 (brought forward completion grant) / June
Year 5 / Term 1 / Oct-Dec / £150 (brought forward completion grant) / December
Term 2 / Jan-Mar / £150 (brought forward completion grant) / March
Term 3 / Apr-Jun / £100 = final payment of equivalent of £1000 completion grant. / June
Completion / n/a / August / None / n/a
Appendix B
Pastoral Process
Moving in and visiting the HEI
Beginning university can be a very significant transition for a young person particularly if they are moving to a new city. To support the young person to experience this transition as positively as possible there are some very practical things we can do to ensure the young person is supported as fully as possible. We would expect that the leaving care PA will make sure that the young person has someone to accompany them on a visit to the university of their choice, if this is what the young person would like. Similarly, we would expect that the young person has someone to move them into their new accommodation at the beginning of term. This might mean we financially support a family member or mentor to go with them, or that the leaving care PA will go with them. It is important that we are led by the young person around these choices.
We would ask all leaving care PAs to see any young person they support at university on site at their campus and/or halls within the first term, if they haven’t already settled them in, preferably within the first half of term.