Support for care leavers and estranged students

We take pride in offering many kinds of support for our students. Discover the applications, links and advisors who are ready to help you.

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We take pride in offering many kinds of support for our students. Discover the applications, links and advisors who are ready to help you.

Support for care leavers and estranged students

Support during your studies

If you are a care leaver or an estranged student, you can access additional support during your time at UEL. 

This includes financial help, accommodation support, and dedicated guidance to help you succeed in your studies. 

You can also access all support services available to every student.

Financial support

If you are a care-experienced or estranged student, you can access a range of financial support during your studies.

Bursary support

You can receive a non-repayable bursary of £1,000 for each academic year. 

Additional bursaries and scholarships

You may also be eligible for: 

  • Hardship bursary
  • Engagement bursary
  • Progression bursary 

Explore all options on the UEL bursaries and scholarships page.

Local Authority grant

If you are a care leaver under 25 and studying full-time at undergraduate level, you may be eligible for a grant of £2,000 from your local authority. 

  • Contact your local authority for details.
  • Find the contact details for your local authority by visiting your local council website.

Summer financial support

If you are struggling financially outside of term time, you may be able to access additional summer support.

  • Book an appointment with the dedicated contact for care-experienced and estranged students to discuss your situation.

Graduation support package

In your final year, you can access a graduation support package.  To be eligible, you must:

  • Attend an outro interview with your Designated Contact
  • Engage with the Careers Coaching Team (CFSS). 

The package can help cover:

  • Gown hire
  • Photography
  • Family guest tickets.

Tell us your circumstances

We can only offer this support if we know your situation. If you are a current UEL student and would like to disclose that you are care-experienced or estranged:

Email youngindependent@uel.ac.uk to speak to the dedicated contact.

Accommodation support

If you are a care-experienced or estranged student, you will be prioritised for accommodation at our Docklands campus. 

You can: 

  • Stay in halls of residence for the full duration of your course
  • Remain in halls during the summer break
  • Apply for an additional £500 contribution towards your rent

Find out more about your options on the UEL accommodation pages, including room types, costs and how to apply.

Wellbeing support

You can access confidential wellbeing support throughout your studies. 

The Wellbeing Team can help with: 

  • Physical and mental health concerns
  • Advice on accessing specialist support
  • Emotional and practical support during your studies 

As a care-experienced or estranged student, you will have: 

  • A named contact within the Wellbeing Team
  • An initial consultation with a wellbeing practitioner to discuss your needs, feelings and concerns
  • The option of telephone consultations 

The Wellbeing Team can also work with the dedicated contact for care-experienced and estranged students to: 

  • Support your transition to UEL
  • Provide ongoing pastoral and emotional support 

To get started, book an appointment with the Wellbeing Team or speak to your dedicated contact.

Disability and dyslexia support

The Disability and Dyslexia Team supports students whose conditions have a substantial, long-term impact on their learning. 

They can help you with:

  • Understanding what support is available
  • Accessing reasonable adjustments for your studies
  • Getting specialist support where needed 

To access support, contact the Disability and Dyslexia Team to discuss your needs.

Drop-in sessions

You can attend dedicated drop-in sessions to speak with a Care Experienced and Estranged Students Advisor. 

In these sessions, you can get advice on: 

  • Local authority support
  • University support
  • Student Finance (funding support) 

Drop-in sessions are available at:

  • Docklands campus
  • Stratford campus 

To find out when sessions are running or to speak to your advisor, call +44 (0)208 223 6407.

Employment and work opportunities

You can earn while you learn with part-time work opportunities during your time at UEL.

Student ambassador roles

Many students work as

These roles help you inspire the next generation of learners and build experience for your CV.

To apply or find out more, email partnerships@uel.ac.uk.

Jobs and volunteering 

You can also access a range of:

  • part-time jobs
  • volunteering opportunities

These are available throughout the year and include both internal and external vacancies.

Career support

The Career Zone is available to all students and alumni. It offers:

  • a support network to help you grow and develop
  • guidance from your first few weeks at UEL right through to employment.

Peer mentoring

You can take part in a peer-to-peer mentoring scheme to help you settle into life at UEL. 

If you are a first-year student, you can be matched with a student in a higher year who will: 

  • Share their experience of studying at UEL
  • Offer guidance and support
  • Help you adjust to a new environment 

Mentoring can take place through: 

  • Face-to-face meetings
  • Email or e-mentoring
  • Messaging and text

For further information on the different mentoring opportunities available, visit our Mentoring page.

Students' Union

The Students’ Union offers activities, support and opportunities to help you get the most out of your time at UEL. 

You can: 

  • Take part in events and activities throughout the year
  • Join or set up student-led societies
  • Get support with housing, academic concerns and complaints
  • Find out how to get involved and access support on the UEL Students' Union website.

Support after graduation

You can continue to access support from UEL after you graduate.

Centre for Student Success

The Centre for Student Success supports you for years after graduation. 

  • Access ongoing support and guidance
  • Continue developing your skills and career

Find out what is available on the Centre for Student Success alumni support page.

Alumni support 

UEL’s Alumni Team helps you stay connected and supported after you graduate. You can: 

  • Keep in touch with the UEL community
  • Build friendships and professional networks
  • Access services and benefits designed for graduates

 The Alumni Team ensures support is accessible and relevant to graduates across the world. Explore opportunities on the UEL alumni webpage.

Apps

Care Leavers app

The Care Leavers app helps you access support and information wherever you are. 

You can use the app to: 

  • Find services in your local area
  • Discover activities and events
  • Learn about your rights and entitlements 

The app is available 24/7 and can be used without internet or Wi-Fi. 

Download the app on:

  • iOS devices
  • Android devices

Mind of My Own (MOMO) app

The Mind of My Own (MOMO) app helps care leavers organise their thoughts and communicate with their support workers. 

You can use the app to: 

  • Share your views and concerns
  • Communicate more easily with professionals
  • Get support if you want to make a complaint about your local authority
  • Find out how the app works and how to use it on the Mind of My Own (MOMO) website.

Care Leaver Covenant app

The Care Leaver Covenant app gives you access to exclusive offers and support across the UK. 

You can use the app to: 

  • Access offers from organisations, charities and businesses
  • Find support to help you start your career
  • Explore opportunities to stay healthy and make new friends 

All offers are designed specifically for care leavers as part of ongoing support. 

Download the app to start exploring available opportunities.

Get in touch

If you have any questions, contact the Care Experienced and Estranged Students Advisor. 

You can: 

Useful links

Become charity support

BECOME supports young people who are currently in care or have recently left care.

You can access: 

To get support, contact Become through the Care Advice Line or explore their coaching programme.

Coram Voice support

Coram Voice supports children and young people in care and care leavers to understand their rights and speak up about the services responsible for their care. 

They can help you to: 

  • Understand your rights and entitlements
  • Advocate for yourself
  • Get advice and support about your care 

You can contact Coram Voice: 

  • Call +44 (0)808 800 5792 (free)
  • Text +44 (0)7758 670369
  • Visit the Coram Voice website to learn more about their support

Useful links

  • Pre-entry support

    This section provides information on the support that is available to care experienced and estranged students who are keen to expolore and develop their understanding of higher education.

  • Care leavers and estranged students

    At the University of East London we are proud to offer an inclusive package of support for care leavers.