1. National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL)
Kath Lawrence
National Collaborative Outreach Network Manager

2. 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]

3. 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

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

5. 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?

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

7. 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

8. 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)
‘By Degrees: Going to University from Care’ report published. Buttle Quality Mark introduced

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

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

14. Guides Updated guide for HE Care Leaver Contacts
New guide for local authority workers
Available on NNECL.org

15. 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

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

17. 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

18. 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

19. 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?

20. Contact Us
Phone: Website: