Supporting students with caring responsibilities

This content is provided in partnership with Carers Trust.

Who is a carer?

A carer is anyone who gives unpaid care to a family member, partner or friend who could not cope without their support. This may be due to a long-term illness, disability, a mental health condition or an addiction. A caring responsibility may be short term – such as supporting someone with their recovery following an accident, or long term – such as helping someone with a long-term illness.

Caring responsibilities might include physical care (e.g. helping someone out of bed), personal care​ (e.g. helping someone wash), emotional support, ​collecting prescriptions and helping to give medicine​, and providing emergency care. For young adult carers, this might also involve practical household tasks (e.g. cooking and cleaning), managing the family budget, and looking after siblings.

This guide includes guidance which is applicable to carers of all ages, but there are different considerations to be aware of for young adult carers (those aged 16-25) and older applicants, which we try to clarify throughout.

Pre-application and research phase

Communication with students, parents, and support staff

• Where possible, identify students who have caring responsibilities so you can make sure they're given the right information and support. The pastoral team in your school or college may be able to help, and even support your conversations if they already have a trusted relationship with those students.
• Be mindful that that not all carers will be known to the school or college, and some may think their caring doesn't ‘count’. Many young adult carers don’t fully understand their rights or realise they are carers – this guide from Carers Trust will help.
• It's a good idea to engage with parents and carers, to make sure they know what support and funding is available and to signpost expert information and advice if needed. Again, the pastoral team may be able to help.
• Make sure that support for caring responsibilities in higher education is referenced in any student or parent/carer presentation and materials. Our’ information and advice pages for students with caring responsibilities is a good starting point.

Supporting students to research their options

• Encourage aspirational choices and challenge any assumptions or preconceptions the student (or their parents/carers) may have about particular universities or courses not being an option for them.
• Signpost students to information and advice that will help them research their options. Also direct them to expert organisations – see links below.

Think about practical matters early

• Encourage students to contact the local authority or local carers’ service to check what support is available. This might include information and guidance, a transitions assessment, and individual or group support. Some services have links with university outreach teams – find local carers’ services on the Carers Trust website.
• Check if the student’s caring role prevents them from participating in opportunities such as open days or outreach activities. The university widening participation team may be able to help.
• Check whether work placements or off-site learning opportunities that are part of a course would cause a problem. Help them explore how they can manage any conflicting responsibilities, including speaking to the university before they apply.
• Some young adult carers feel they can’t move away which might limit their options. Make sure they understand the local authority has a responsibility for arranging care for people who need it, and carers have a legal right to receive support to meet their own personal goals – including education.
• Students managing conflicting priorities can find there is an impact on their mental health and wellbeing. Make sure they know how to access support at university, and encourage anyone with an existing condition to share this on their UCAS application – check our toolkit for supporting students with mental health conditions.

When they’re applying

Making their choices

• Help students explore if the universities include young adult carers within pre-admissions support (e.g. contextualised offers, application support) – more about contextual admissions.

Completing the UCAS application

• Encourage students to share their caring responsibilities (and any other relevant circumstances) in the ‘More about you’ section. Reassure them this information is treated sensitively and only ever used to connect them to the right support – read more about sharing this information on the FAQs page and on the LEAPS website.
• Use the reference to highlight any issues or challenges which may have affected their attainment or performance (e.g. missed schooling due to their caring role).  
• Advise students to talk about the skills they’ve gained or characteristics they demonstrate through their caring role in the personal statement. We've developed a personal statement guide for students with caring responsibilities with students and the Carers Trust to help.

Post-application and offers

• Check students know how to apply for student finance (including the Disabled Students' Allowance). Be aware that some will be responsible for managinge the household’s finances as part of the caring role and may need extra support.
• Help students find and apply for any bursaries, scholarships or grants as early as possible. This might be through the universities themselves or charitable organisations.
• Those planning to study part-time may be eligible for the Carer’s Allowance (except Scotland). Students in Scotland may be eligible for the Carers Support Payment.
• Prompt students to think about respite and additional care as there may be logistical and financial implications they need help managing.
• Encourage students planning to move away to contact the local carers’ service near the university in advance to make sure the find the right support.

During Confirmation and Clearing

If the student is using Clearing to find a place, advise them to speak to the university or college about their support needs before making any decision.

Preparing for the transition to university or college

• Remind students to contact the university to discuss the details of any academic support needs (e.g. anxieties about workload) and practical support (e.g. on-site parking).  
• Make sure they have thought about budgeting – they can find information and advice on ucas.com. They may also be able to access advice through their local carers service.
• For those moving away, check they have thought about how they will move to university and buy the equipment they need (e.g. bedding, kitchen equipment). For those commuting, check they've considered the cost of travel, parking, and how long it will take (as relevant).
• Check they know who to contact at the university if they have any questions when they arrive – some have a dedicated contact for carers.
• Read the Charlie Waller student guide for young carers making the transition to university.
• Kooth offers free, safe, anonymous online mental health support for young people online (including NHS services) – students can check if their home or uni area is covered.
• If students are not planning to move away, make sure they know how to find information about the social aspects of university, and how they can get involved with clubs and societies. The students’ union is a great starting point – their details will be on the website.

Expert guidance from the Carers Trust

The Carers Trust website has many resources to support carers of all ages, including general information about carers’ rights, how to find support locally, and how to get help with caring. 

There are resources specifically aimed at young adult carers and their supporters:

• The Young Carers Alliance – a network of organisations and individuals committed to improving the lives of young adult carers and their families.
• The Young Carers’ Futures Hub – specialist support to help young people achieve their potential.
• Supporting young adult carers in higher education gives insight into the challenges young adult carers face, and gives practical tips, guidance and case studies. Students in Scotland can find support on the Going Higher for Student Carers in Scotland website.
• Carers Trust - My Mental Health project toolkit offers information and help for young adult carers and those who support them.
• The Young Carers in Schools programme works with schools across the UK to share good practice, tools and training.
• There is also support for new and trainee and teachers: Supporting Young Carers in Schools: A Toolkit for Initial Teacher Education Providers

For more support

• Information and advice for students with caring responsibilities on ucas.com.
• Read more about statutory support for young adult carers, There is also specific guidance for young people living in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland.
• The local council or carers service can offer support with a young person’s caring role if they are planning to go to university – find out about rights on the Carers Trust website.
• Carers Trust – for details of resources for carers of all ages. Also, see above.
• MYTIME Young Carers supports young carers aged 5-25. They provide toolkits for young carers, support for parents, and guidance for schools about counting young carers in the school census.
• The Learning and Work Institute’s LearnWorkCare website offers advice and resources on learning and work for young adult carers – and for those who support them. For FE colleges, their Driving Change resources help you review and improve the support offered to young adult carers in further education.
• Sidekick is a confidential helpline for young adult carers – text 07888 868 059 or email: sidekick@actionforchildren.org.uk.
• Hope Support offers help and advice for young people with a terminally ill family member.