KU Cares: support for care leavers, estranged students and young adult carers
At Kingston University we provide a comprehensive package of support for care leavers, estranged students and young adult carers. Our support package, KU Cares, has won recognition as ‘Highly commended' at the NEON Awards May 2019, ‘runner up' at the Guardian University Awards, March 2015 and ' highly commended' at the Times Higher Awards, November 2014.
Our package includes financial support, access to year-round accommodation, access to internal and external opportunities including placements at the University and becoming part of our Student Ambassador team. This is in addition to advocacy across the university and within your local authority and a dedicated KU Cares team (scroll down to meet them) to support you through your application, time at University, graduation and beyond. You will be eligible for our pre-application support which includes our Head Start summer programme.
If you have any questions or are unsure of your eligibility please email us.
In recognition of the challenges sometimes experienced by KU Cares eligible students (including personal and educational disruption), grade flexibility may be applied if a KU Cares student doesn't meet the conditions of their offer, on an individual case/course basis. Student must contact the KU Cares team to discuss at confirmation stage: kucares@kingston.ac.uk / 0208 417 3286.
All information provided by students will be held in the strictest confidence, and only shared when necessary and with your permission.
We provide support for undergraduate students who are under the age of 25 and are part of the following groups, please check your eligibility for the scheme on the relevant page.
What do I do now?
- Register your interest by applying for KU Cares (please ensure you tick the box declaring that you fall into one of the above groups)
Meet the KU Cares team
We are here to support you throughout your journey at Kingston University – before you join us, all the way through to graduation.
Chrissie Farley
Lead Access and Support officer
Designated Member of Staff for Estranged students and Sanctuary Award Scholarship students (Forced Migrant students)
I'm your main point of contact if you are a student/keyworker from foyers, hostels, charities and/or local authorities.
I'm here to help with queries on Student Finance, Accommodation and Home Office checks (Sanctuary Awards), and will be your link to academic faculty support.
Contact me by email at C.Farley@kingston.ac.uk.
Beth Taswell
Access and Support Officer
Designated Member of Staff for Care Leavers and Young Adult Carers. NNECL regional rep and Trustee of Become.
I'm your main point of contact if you are a student/Social Worker/ Advisor from local authorities and third sector organisations including Carers' Networks.
I'm here to advise on Student Finance queries, Accommodation questions, Leaving Care provisions, and will be your link to academic faculty support.
Contact me by email at B.Taswell@kingston.ac.uk.
Contact us
KU Cares
Tel: 0208 417 5717
Find a course
Kingston University shortlisted for national award for supporting estranged students
The awards recognise Kingston University's outstanding commitment and innovative approach to supporting estranged students.
What our students say...
"Coming to University was a dream that seemed to be unreachable for people like me. Completing my degree successfully is an unexplainable and overwhelming feeling. Thank you to the Compact Scheme for believing in me when I was doubting my abilities. You stood by me when the odds were against me and supported me throughout my degree."
Care leaver graduate
Social worker
"We appreciate the targeted support to looked-after children and care leavers from the time of university application to graduation. Many of our young people benefit from taster programmes that raise their aspirations as well as leaving them better information and excited by their future options. Having a single point of contact at the University is often key to the success or failure of that young person in their university career."
Tracey Lewis, The Virtual School for Looked After Children Merton Children, Schools and Families, Merton Council
Contact us
KU Cares
Tel: 0208 417 5717