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Support Available

Queen’s University Belfast is committed to providing support for students who are care experienced. 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 Patricia: p.hampson@qub.ac.uk

  • Guaranteed Student Accommodation

    Accommodation is guaranteed for 365 days a year to Queen's students who are care experienced: 

    “PLACES GUARANTEED TO QUEEN’S STUDENTS IRRESPECTIVE OF YEAR OF STUDY: "Care Leavers - Queen’s guarantees any student who is leaving care of their local authority or Health and Social Care Trust and has accepted an offer to study at Queen’s. Students must have applied for accommodation by 30 June 2023 and provide written, supportive evidence from the local authority or Health and Social Care Trust to Queen’s Widening and Participation Department".   Click here to view Queen's Accommodation policy

    If you have applied for Queen's accommodation, then please email Patricia 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 Patricia Hampson in Widening Participation Unit: p.hampson@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 Patricia Hampson.  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 Patricia: p.hampson@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. 

     

    Further information can be found here 

  • Support Services at Queen's
  • 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, Disability Services, the Library, University Schools, and students. Find out more about Transition Skills for University by clicking the link below:

Transition Skills for University
Employability Skills banner