Supporting students experiencing parental estrangement

Young people who are estranged from both parents may be able to access dedicated support at university or college. 

The relationship may have ceased some time ago, or it may be in the early stages of breaking down. Many of their support needs are similar to care experienced students, but they may not be known to the local authority. This means it can be difficult to evidence their circumstances, and the school or college can play an important role in supporting them to higher education.

Pre-application and research phase

Communication with students and their supporters

• Where possible, identify students whose relationship with both their parents has broken down (or where this is starting to happen) so you can signpost that support is available. The pastoral team in your school or college may be able to help with this but be aware that not all estranged students’ will be known to the school or college.
• Flag that support is available in higher education as early as possible – UCAS’ information and advice is a good starting point, and the EaCES Guide is written by care experienced and estranged students to help those in a similar situation considering university.
• Make sure you and your colleagues understand what estrangement is and the challenges students face. Include it alongside care experience and other individual support needs in presentations or materials about higher education.  
• Ensure young people understand what ‘estranged’ means – many are not familiar with this term but they will encounter it (e.g. on the UCAS application and when applying for student finance).
• Make sure support for individual needs is referenced in presentation or materials about higher education and the application. Our pages for care experienced applicants are a good starting point.
• Check if the university has a named contact for estranged students and encourage the student to get in touch – they will be able to answer any questions and give more information, even if they decide not to apply there.

Supporting students to research their options

• Encourage students to contact universities and colleges before applying, to find out what support is available. Many have a named contact who will be able to answer any questions and give more information – even if they decide not to apply there.
• The NNECL Quality Mark is awarded to universities and colleges demonstrating effective support for care experienced and estranged students from pre-application through to graduation.  
• Contact widening participation/outreach teams at local universities and colleges – students can receive support with research, writing their personal statement, and making an application.  

Think about practical matters early

• Research bursaries, grants, and other support at universities, and through charitable trusts – read more.
• If the student will require year-round accommodation, prompt them to research this as an important part of their decision-making. Many universities and colleges now offer this, and some can even help with guarantor and deposit requirements. There is more information on our accommodation pages. 

When they’re applying

Completing the UCAS application

• Encourage students to share their circumstances in the ‘More about you’ section of the application, explaining that this information will be used positively to connect them to any support the university may offer. To find out more about sharing this information, visit the FAQs page.
• Use the reference to highlight where the student’s circumstances have affected their attainment or performance.
• If the student feels comfortable mentioning their circumstances in their personal statement, the UCAS personal statement guide for estranged students is written by estranged students to help them outline their skills and qualities.
• Estranged students can be more likely to experience difficulties with their mental health and wellbeing, so ensure they're aware of what support is available and how to access it. Encourage and support students to share a mental health condition in the UCAS application, where relevant.
• Make sure students know the key dates (including any internal deadlines) and check in with them in advance to ensure they are on track.

Making their final choices

• Encourage aspirational choices – estranged students may be considered for contextualised offers.

Post-application

• Ensure they apply for student finance as an independent student and complete a ‘confirmation of estrangement form’ so they can access the maximum maintenance allowance. Check what evidence they need to provide – they may need help with acquiring this. Read more about applying for student finance as an estranged student – and there is a separate guide for estranged students in Scotland.
• Contact the Independent Team at the Student Loans Company at independent_student_enquiries@slc.co.uk or the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS), for advice on supporting applicants (e.g. if they are struggling to provide evidence). In England, you can find out more about applying for student finance as an estranged student on the SFE practitioners’ pages.
• Ensure they have checked their eligibility for other financial support, including bursaries and scholarships, and help them to apply in good time.
• Check students can attend open days and interviews – the university or college may be able to help if cost is a barrier, and Buttle UK offers grants to help students without family support.
• Remind students to apply early for accommodation, especially if they need to stay over holiday periods. Many universities and colleges offer 365-day accommodation for estranged students or financial support to help with extra costs, so they should check what is available. Many universities can also support with deposits and guarantor requirements and some offer support packages that include accommodation.
• Remind students to update their contact details if they move after submitting their application. 

During Confirmation and Clearing

If the student is using Clearing to find an alternative place, advise them to speak to the university or college about their support needs before making any decision. For example, it may be hard to secure year-round accommodation in Clearing – if this is required students should check with the university or college.  

Preparing for the transition to university or college

• Make sure students have started thinking about budgeting – read more information and advice.
• Get students thinking about how they will move to university or college and buy the equipment they need. Buttle UK offers grants to help students with costs, and some universities and colleges offer starter packs.
• Remind them to take key documents, such as their passport, birth certificate, and driving licence.
• If a student becomes homeless before or during the summer holidays before the start of term (or is at risk of homelessness), contact the university or college to see if they can help find somewhere for them to live over the summer.
• Ask if they have made plans for the Christmas holiday period. This is often a difficult time for those experiencing parental estrangement, so they may need help from their university or college with accommodation and wellbeing support.  
• Make sure they know who to contact if they have any questions or problems when they arrive. Bear in mind that not all universities and colleges will be equally familiar with the challenges of estrangement, so it’s helpful to support their transition by liaising with the student support team – find their details on the university website.
• Suggest students visit the All of Us online community from Unite Foundation to connect with other estranged students and get advice.
• Make sure they know who to contact if they have any questions or problems when they arrive.
• Try to find some time to keep in touch to see how they're getting on once they start their course.

For more support

• UCAS’ pages for students estranged from their parents.
• SAAS student finance guide for estranged students in Scotland
• The EaCES Handbook – written by estranged and care experienced students to bring together information and advice to help others – including their own experiences and practical tips.
• The National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL) – offers resources advisers may find useful and runs the NNECL Quality Mark in universities and colleges, which has been extended to include estranged students.
• The Unite Foundation offers scholarships for care experienced and estranged students, and hosts online community All of Us.