Greater Manchester to support care leavers in education

Following a successful pilot, the GMCA and NNECL will work together to support all post-16 education providers in Greater Manchester to achieve the NNECL Quality Mark over the next three academic years.

This initiative recognises the barriers faced by young people with care backgrounds in accessing further and higher education.

The NNECL Quality Mark aims to ensure learning institutions across the region have the right support in place so that young people from care backgrounds have the best conditions to learn.

National data confirms young people with experience of being in care achieve 'significantly lower educational outcomes' than their non-care experienced peers.

Across the UK, care leavers are identified as a 'priority group' for outreach and support from universities and colleges.

Only 14 per cent of young care leavers enter higher education compared to 47 per cent of those without care backgrounds.

The reasons include the impact of early childhood trauma, the difference in attainment between 'looked-after children' and their peers, disrupted education, low expectations from key influencers in a young person’s network, and lack of specific information about the support available to them in higher education.

Cllr Mark Hunter, leader of Stockport Council and GMCA group leader for children and young people, said: "In 2021 GMCA provided funds for eight education institutions to work with the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL) to achieve their Quality Mark.

"Due to the resounding success of that initiative, GMCA have agreed to joint fund other post-16 education providers to achieve the NNECL Quality Mark with the aim of Greater Manchester being the first region to have all colleges (with an annual intake of approximately 300+ pupils) and universities accredited by NNECL.

"Andy Burnham’s commitment to the GM Care Leaver Guarantee means we want to continue to work with education providers to encourage and enable care leavers to access further and higher education and go on to have a successful and rewarding career."

The NNECL Quality Mark aims to ensure learning institutions across the region have the right support in place (Image: Supplied)

Denise Rawls, executive director at NNECL, said: "Greater Manchester committing to becoming the first combined authority where all sixth forms, colleges and universities are care experience inclusive learning environments with the NNECL Quality Mark is exciting.

"This bold action signals GMCA’s commitment to breaking down barriers to educational opportunity and building a society supporting the aspiration of every young person, regardless of their background.

"We are delighted to be working with all the sixth forms, further education colleges and universities across Greater Manchester to create an exciting network of learning environments where young people with care experience can access dedicated support and guidance and are empowered to flourish and achieve their full educational potential."

The NNECL Quality Mark supports staff in post-16 learning spaces to transform their organisations' experience for care leavers.

In September 2024, the Rt Hon Baroness Jacqui Smith, Minister for Skills, said: "The NNECL Quality Mark is an important tool for improving access and raising standards for care experienced students across the post-16 landscape.

"The department is fully supportive of the Quality Mark, and I would encourage institutions to continue to work towards their accreditation."

NNECL is a registered charity working with education practitioners and care system professionals across the UK to transform the progression of children in care and care leavers, into and through further and higher education.

Universities and colleges who gain the NNECL Quality Mark have demonstrated they have 'caring, holistic and practical' processes in place across the institution, including within the senior leadership team, to support the success of students with care experiences and who are estranged so they are able to thrive while they learn.