Social Science Engagement Fellowship: Support Care Leavers’ Access, Participation and Achievement in Higher Education and Transition to Work

The recent Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper highlights persistent inequalities and the Ministerial priority to improve access, participation and achievement among underrepresented groups in higher education (HE). One priority group is care leavers, who remain underrepresented in HE, with only 14% entering HE by 22, and those who do being more likely to withdraw. While existing research provides a good understanding of the barriers affecting care leavers’ access to HE, there is limited evidence on what works to support them. Despite the existing support system that combines state-funded and sector led initiatives, with most provision delivered by providers, little is known about which provider-led interventions are most effective in supporting care leavers to access, participate, and succeed in HE, and to transition to work.

This project supports the collaboration between Centre on Skills, Knowledge, and Organisational Performance (SKOPE) and the Department for Education (DfE). The aim is to contribute to the Ministerial priority and address the evidence gap by understanding which provider-led interventions are most effective, to strengthen and scale the support system for carer leavers in HE and support their transition to work. The Outgoing Fellow, Dr Yushan Xie, will be supervised by Dr James Robson and undertake a six-month placement at the DfE, working with relevant policy teams. The main activities will include collaboratively reviewing evidence, conducting case studies, sharing findings through evidence seminars, and co-designing engagement activities and workshops involving key stakeholders.