Scottish Funding Council: Student Support Seminar, 1st June 2017 Carers Trust Scotland Paul Traynor: Policy and Campaigns Officer (Young Carers and Young Adult Carers) Scottish Funding Council: Student Support Seminar, 1st June 2017

About us: Carers Trust Scotland (formerly The Princess Royal Trust for Carers) has been operating in Scotland since 1991. We are the largest provider of comprehensive carers support services in Scotland, reaching around 40,000 adult carers and more than 3,500 young carers from all groups and communities, through a unique network of independent carers centres and young carers services (Network Partners) throughout Scotland. We work with these Network Partners to improve support, services and recognition for carers in communities across Scotland.

There are over 788,000 carers across Scotland Describing carers: “A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support.” There are over 788,000 carers across Scotland

What we do? Policy and campaigning Emotional, practical and financial support Training and education Social and leisure activities Breaks and respite Grants www.carers.org www.youngcarers.net © Carers Trust

Where do we operate? Working with almost 170 Local Network Partners across the UK Supporting over 450,000 carers

Identify Support Report Going Higher in Scotland - campaign The Going Higher for Student Carers campaign is asking the Scottish Government and all institutions to include student carers when they look at widening access and participation.   It is calling for institutions to:  Identify Support Identify the number of student carers attending or hoping to study at their institution. Support  all student carers throughout their education to ensure they maintain good health, complete their course and achieve the best grades possible. Report on student carer progressions and showcase student carers’ achievements. Report

Why is the Going Higher for Student Carers in Scotland campaign needed?   This campaign aims to raise awareness of student carers and the issues they experience. It aims to highlight the extremely challenging conditions endured by student carers that is negatively impacting on them being able to enter, sustain and meet their true potential in Further and Higher Education in Scotland. Carers provide an invaluable service to their cared for person/s, but also to their local community and to Scotland. It’s is Student Carers’ Time to be Heard in Scotland

Research on young adult and student carers: Carers Trust Young Adult Carers at College and University (2014) Young Adult Carers and Employment (2014) Scottish Youth Parliament (2014) A Costly Youth: The Impact of Caring on Young People in Scotland (2014) National Union of Students (2013) Learning with care: Experiences of student carers in the UK

Student carers are four times more likely to drop out of college or university than students who are not carers.

Overview This awards aims to make it easier for universities to support student carers and reward good practice. It incentivises and encourages universities to adopt a sustainable, whole institution approach to Identify, Support and Report on student carers.

Key features of the Recognition Award:   No cost to apply Direct support from Carers Trust Scotland to help you achieve Clear guidance to develop student carer support Raising awareness of students with a caring role Encourages partnerships Recognises good practice

Carers Trust Scotland working in partnership with the Scottish Funding Council

2017-2018 Outcome Agreement Guidance All colleges and universities were asked to include a statement on Carers outlining: Their current and future commitment to students (and staff) who are carers, and (where known) state the number of individual students (and staff) who are carers)

Definition The Scottish Funding Council asks institutions to use the Carers Trust Scotland definition: “A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support”

Colleges have been collecting data on carers since AY 2013-14 In 2017-18 Scottish Funding Council is now asking who is being cared for. Do you have unpaid caring responsibilities for a family member or friend who is ill, frail, disabled or has a mental health or addiction problems?  YES or No Who do you care for? Disabled child/children under 18 Child/children under 18 Adult(s) 18 and over Prefer not to say

College data 2013-14 to 2015-16

Going forward   It is our hope that going forward we will be able to offer Going Further for Student Carers: Recognition Award to assist and make it easier for colleges to support student carers and reward good practice.

E: ptraynor@carers.org