Queen’s University Belfast is committed to providing support for students who have experience of care. This section of the website highlights support available within the University along with external supports. If you can't find answer to any of your questions please contact Sinead O'Kane at s.okane@qub.ac.uk or Rhiannon at r.mcstocker@qub.ac.uk.
Support from the Widening Participation Unit includes:
- Named contacts from pre-entry stage to graduation and beyond,
- Pre-entry tours, advice and guidance,
- One-to-one meetings with the named contacts,
- Care Experienced Bursary,
- Access to SUQCESS fund,
- Monthly social events to meet other care experienced students,
- Regular newsletter to keep you updated on events and opportunities.
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Guaranteed Student Accommodation
Accommodation is guaranteed for 365 days a year to Queen's students who have experience of care:
“PRIORITY CATEGORIES: "Care Leavers and irreconcilably estranged students - should inform the Accommodation Service of their requirements and provide supporting information with their application to be considered a priority applicant. Referrals may also be made directly by the Widening Participation Service.
Students requiring full-year accommodation may apply for a longer accommodation contract period or request a summer extension, which may result in the requirement to move from their allocated term time room at the end of a standard contract period."
Click here to view Queen's Accommodation policy
If you have applied for Queen's accommodation, then please email Sinead or Rhiannon so that they can identify you to the accommodation team to ensure that you receive your guaranteed place.
Find out more about Queen’s Accommodation here.
If you need more advice please contact Sinead at s.okane@qub.ac.uk or Rhiannon at r.mcstocker@qub.ac.uk.
- Mental Health and Wellbeing Support
All new care experienced students to Queen's will be invited into a one to one support meeting with Sinead O'Kane, or Rhiannon McStocker. During the meeting students can raise and issues or concerns they may have, and also find out about range of supports available. If relevant, students will be encouraged to engage with appropriate support services. Students will also be offered wellbeing support or Mental Health Coaching.
If you are a returning student and would like a one to one support meeting, please email Sinead at s.okane@qub.ac.uk or Rhiannon at r.mcstocker@qub.ac.uk.
- Queen's Career and Employability Internship Opportunity Priority
Queen's Careers, Employability and Skills offer opportunities for internships and work experience. These opportunities provide you with a chance to make relationships with potential future employers, gain work experience and it looks great on your CV! Additionally, some of the internships and work experience provide you with a bursary on completion, or a salary for the duration of your internship. Care experienced students are prioritised when allocating internships and work experience placements.
- Support Services at Queen's
Click on links below to find out more about support services in the University.
- Queen's Accommodation
- Widening Participation Team
- Learning Development Service
- Students' Union Advice
- Student Wellbeing (including counselling)
- Student Wellbeing - Emergency Contacts
- Accessible Learning Support
- University Schools
- Scholarships and funding
- Careers, Employability and Skills
- Guidance for new students
- Guidance for parents and guardians
- External Support Services
- Propel- Propel is part of Become, a charity for children in care and young care leavers. They provide help, support and advice for young people who have spent time in care.
- Include Youth- Include Youth is a regional rights-based charity for young people in or leaving care, from disadvantaged communities or whose rights are not being met to improve their employability and personal development. They work with children and young people between the ages of 14-24.
- VOYPIC- Voice of Young People in Care (VOYPIC) is an independent Northern charity that promotes the rights and improves the lives of children and young people in care.
- The Fostering Network NI- The Fostering Network delivers the Fostering Achievement project which aims to improve educational attainment among children in care. Support can include one-to-one tuition, driving lessons, sports lessons or equipment, educational materials, and computer equipment.
- EaCES - A site created by current Estranged and Care Experienced Students (EaCES) in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, to summarise all of the advice and information they know about to support students in higher and further education and to share their own lived experiences and stories. Note: this is not a charity so cannot support anyone directly.
- ‘This Is Us student-led community’ on Mighty Networks came out of the ideas submitted by students. It is a dedicated and safe online space for estranged and care-experienced students at Higher Education providers to connect, share info, arrange meet-ups and more! It’s free, national and open to all ages & years of study.
- Listening Works - Provide phone, text and web chat for care leavers aged between 18-30. This support is available every evening from 6pm - midnight, and can provide support, advice, signposting and just a general chat. If no one can answer then leave a message and they will get back to you.
Transition Skills For University
Once you’re enrolled at Queen’s and have a student number and password, you will have access to Transition Skills for University.
Transition Skills for University is accessible via Canvas and comprises six units of interactive academic skills resources to support your learning as you adjust to higher education study. These resources have been created by the Learning Development Service with input from colleagues in the Student Wellbeing Service, Accessible Learning Services, the Library, University Schools, and students. Find out more about Transition Skills for University by clicking the link below:
Transition Skills for UniversityTransition Skills for University: Transition Skills For University : Once you’re enrolled at Queen’s and have a student number and password, you will have access to Transition Skills for University.