Lancaster University has formally committed to supporting people leaving care and enabling them to access, and thrive in, higher education.
The University has signed the Care Leaver Covenant, which pledges to support care leavers and remove barriers to accessing higher education.
Vice-Chancellor Professor Andy Schofield said: "Lancaster University is committed to social mobility and widening participation. We believe that all young people should have the opportunity to progress and succeed at university, regardless of their background or individual barriers.
"We are delighted to sign up to the Care Leaver Covenant and formally pledge our commitment to supporting care leavers, care-experienced students and young people in care. The Covenant outlines the wide range of support available at Lancaster and highlights that by working together across the student lifecycle we can empower care leavers to achieve their potential."
Lancaster's pledge includes specific offers for care leavers and young people in care, including outreach events, priority access to certain initiatives, a dedicated Care Contact and financial support.
The Covenant formalises the University's commitment to enabling care leavers to access higher education, and to support their retention and success. It is part of the Government's 'Keep on Caring' strategy, to support people leaving care to become independent.
The University is launching the Covenant during National Care Leavers week, which is an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the achievements of care leavers, and to inspire them to reach their full potential.
