Comment | Breaking down barriers, building up futures
Ant Sutcliffe, Associate Director at Higher Horizons, based at Keele University.
Our region is fortunate to have a wealth of committed foster carers and foster parents who play a vital role in supporting, nurturing and guiding young people in the care system. We also know that many young people who have experienced care go on to lead successful, fulfilling and inspiring lives, with Penkhull's own Neil Morrissey perhaps being the most well-known example.
For many care-experienced young people, though, the pathway into further and higher education can feel challenging. Concerns about finances, accommodation, navigating applications, and simply understanding what university life is really like can create barriers that others might never have to consider.
That is why Keele University, University of Staffordshire and Higher Horizons are proud to be working together on the Experience with Care Programme, a long-term commitment to support care-experienced young people across Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, Shropshire, Cheshire East, Cheshire West and Chester, Derbyshire, and Telford & Wrekin.
At the heart of this partnership is a simple belief - where care-experienced young people face additional barriers, they deserve additional support, opportunities and encouragement to help them reach their potential.
What makes this programme particularly powerful is the way the three organisations have come together around a shared purpose, reminding me of the city’s motto: Vis Unita Fortior – United Strength is Stronger.
Higher Horizons, a government funded outreach progamme, brings its extensive experience of working with schools, colleges, virtual schools and local authorities to support local care-experienced young people. Keele University and University of Staffordshire contribute their expertise, facilities, dedicated student support services, and a commitment to widen access to their courses to more care-experienced young people.
Rather than operating separately, the partners have designed a joined-up programme that allows young people to benefit from the strengths of all three organisations. This collaborative approach creates a richer experience, giving opportunities to explore both university environments, meet current students and staff, and develop a clear understanding of the support available to them throughout their educational journey.
The programme has been designed to be far more than a series of campus visits to normalise the university setting. It provides a structured journey that develops confidence, knowledge and a clear pathway to higher education.
Building on a successful pilot programme delivered in 2024-25, participants will be able to visit both Keele University and University of Staffordshire, allowing them to experience different campuses, learning environments and opportunities.
Throughout these visits, young people will explore topics such as higher education options and progression routes, employability and future career opportunities, student finance and accommodation.
By embedding tailored information and guidance throughout the programme, the partnership aims to ensure participants gain practical knowledge while building the confidence to consider higher education as a realistic and achievable option.
A key strength of the programme is that support does not stop after an event or a visit to campus.
Both universities have developed comprehensive support packages specifically for care-experienced students, recognising that successful participation in higher education depends on much more than gaining admission. Getting in is one thing, but getting on is another.
From pre-application guidance and contextual admissions offers to dedicated transition support, students will be able to access personalised advice at every stage of their journey. Once enrolled, learners can benefit from support including dedicated wellbeing and student support contacts, academic mentoring and skills development and specialist financial advice and bursaries of up to £1,000 a year.
However, perhaps most importantly, both universities recognise the significance of secure accommodation. Enhanced accommodation offers, including 365-day, year-round accommodation options and flexible move-in arrangements, help provide stability and reassurance for students who may not have the family support networks available to many of their peers. This is a huge deal for young people who may not have a home to go back to when the university term ends.
The programme's success also relies on strong relationships with virtual schools and local authorities across the region. These partnerships play a vital role in identifying and supporting young people who may benefit from participation.
By bringing together expertise from schools, local authorities, outreach professionals and universities, the programme creates a network of support around each learner, ensuring they receive consistent encouragement and guidance.
The Experience with Care Programme represents an important investment in the future of care-experienced young people across the region. So here’s to seeing a few more Neil Morrisseys emerge in the years ahead, because the world could certainly do with a few more characters like Tony from Men Behaving Badly and Bob the Builder.
