National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL) Kath Lawrence National Collaborative Outreach Network Manager info@nnecl.org

Care Leavers 4 times more likely to have mental health problems What is a Care Leaver? All children who had been looked after for at least 13 weeks which began after they reached the age of 14 and ended after they reached the age of 16 (DfE) Does not include those leaving care before 16 Does not include those in short-term placements Not congruent with other ideas of ‘care experience’ 4 times more likely to have mental health problems 50 times more likely to go to prison 60 times more likely to become homeless 66 times more likely to have children who need public care [Care Matters 2007]

How many care leavers are there in the UK? 6,000 per year 11,000 per year 19,000 per year Around 11,000 young people leave care aged 16, 17 or 18 each year 11 per cent of young people left the care system aged 16 or 17 25 per cent of young people left the care system on their 18th birthday

What percentage of care leavers age 18-21 progress to HE? 7% 11% 23%

Later… Do you feel care leavers should be targeted in bespoke events or included in general outreach? What targeted outreach does your NNCO/your institution do that others could learn from?

NNECL NNCO Website, brokerage, research, evaluation, practitioner resources Managed by staff team at University of Winchester National collaboration through regional groups Virtual schools links

Aims of the NNECL NNCO SPOC To provide national web-based channels of communication To share knowledge of issues facing children in care/care leavers in educational achievement and progression To identify and share best practice among professionals who support their education and career progression, particularly into HE Working together to: Transform the progression of young people in or leaving care into and through further and higher education so that they thrive throughout their lives and careers, by championing the continuous improvement of local practice, multi-agency partnerships and national collaboration

National timeline 2014 Buttle announce the decision to discontinue the QM scheme. Who Cares Trust launch Propel. NNECL secures HEFCE NNCO funding. 2013 HESA care leaver identifier introduced. NNECL established. 2012 OFFA acknowledge care leavers as a target group for Access Agreements and Who Cares Trust first annual HE Handbook for Care Leavers. 2008 Children and Young Persons Act includes (£2,000 HE bursary) 2005 - 2006 ‘By Degrees: Going to University from Care’ report published. Buttle Quality Mark introduced

A brief history of NNECL National collaboration 2011 – 2012 Aimhigher ends National charities engage with a growing practitioner network Regional representation 2013 – 2014 7 regional groups form a national executive First annual conference NNCO 2015 – 2016 SPoC Promotion of outreach opportunities Scale and impact Online hub, guides and resources Sustainability

Where are we now? Seven regional groups and hundreds of members 571 subscribers, 841 followers 180 delegates at annual conference Updated guides to supporting care-leavers Commissioned research Filming project

www.nnecl.org 10,000+ visits 150+ targeted events listed to date 50+ universities and charities engaged Summer Schools Taster days Campus visits Mentoring Conferences for professionals Access to regional information Resources and research News updates Contact details for NNECL officers

Filming project 12 minute film Clips for Careleavers week Short Films Targeted outreach Impact Partnership working Single interview films Clip library

Guides Updated guide for HE Care Leaver Contacts New guide for local authority workers Available on NNECL.org http://www.nnecl.org/resources/nnecl-guide-for-those-taking-on-

Commissioned research Higher Education: Researching Around Care Leavers’ Entry and Success (HERACLES) Dr Neil Harrison Statistical analysis of linked data from the National Pupil Database and HESA Undergraduate care leaver survey

Evaluation Quarterly reporting against KPIs KPI 1: Website reach KPI 2: Newsletter /Twitter KPI 3: Website enquiries KPI 4: Email and Phone enquiries KPI5: SPoC external engagement KPI 6: Engagement - regional networks, charities and HE institutions KPI 7 New resources/Activities

Stakeholders’ Priorities ‘Being able to talk to the right people’ ‘Keeping up to date with policy and practice’ ‘Practical challenges’ ‘Meeting individual needs’ (Tiller Research Ltd – NNECL Consultation findings ) Stakeholder consultation priorities: Facilitate the sharing of best practice Provide practical support services Facilitate the building of relationships between agencies Develop a stronger evidence base

The future Long-term sustainability plan built on an independent feasibility study and national stakeholder consultation. Transition period Charitable status Currently seeking funding to maintain our work through transition Interim board of trustees overseeing transition to new formal membership structure

Sharing best practice Do you feel care leavers should be targeted in bespoke events or included in general outreach? What targeted outreach does your NNCO/your institution do that others could learn from?

Contact Us Email: info@nnecl.org Phone: 01962 827688 Website: http://nnecl.org/ Twitter: @_NNECL