If you are a carer then you might be worried about and have questions about going to university. At UCA, we have ways to support you.  

On our campuses, UCA has a designated member of staff (DMS) to help you while you are studying with us. You’ll qualify for support if you are caring for another person and taking on practical and/or emotional caring responsibilities that would normally be expected of an adult.  

In addition, you will need to be: 

  • Registered on an undergraduate or postgraduate course 
  • Classed as a 'home' student 
  • Under 25 years old at the start of your course 

The best thing to do is declare this on your application form so our DMS can get in touch with you and begin the process of support. 


From initial enquiry all the way through to graduation, we’re here for you. Among the support we can offer is: 

  • Information and guidance on courses and returning to education 
  • Information on paying for your course, help accessing this and other sources of financial help. As a carer, the amount of maintenance loan you’re entitled to will be based on your household income. Full time students are not entitled to Carers Allowance.
  • Help and advice on completing application forms for courses, student loans/bursaries 
  • Help getting your accommodation in place, including liaising with our accommodation department, external agencies and landlords 
  • Help putting additional support in place ready for your course, such as disability and specific learning support difficulties, as well as help accessing other services available including study support, counselling and careers advice 
  • Ongoing welfare support 
  • With your permission, working with other professionals supporting you.  

All shared information remains confidential in line with the University's Data Protection Policies. 

There are a range of external websites that offer a range of services, advice and opportunities, which we’ve compiled here:  

Support for
Carers, Care Experienced & Estranged Students

We are committed to the support and achievement of all our students and recognises that students who are care experienced, without family support or who are carers themselves may have additional challenges in entering and adjusting to University life.

We are proud to be supporting care experienced students through our commitment to the Care Leaver Covenant.

 


In order to help students make the transition into Higher Education, we have Designated Members of Staff (DMS) who offer seamless confidential support from an initial enquiry through to graduation.

Our DMS can provide the following support:

Pre-entry

  • Impartial advice on funding for Higher Education courses, money management and accommodation.
  • Referral to other support services such as the Disability & Specific Learning Differences (SpLD) Support Team.
  • Arranging a ‘Meet and Greet’ service at Open Days or 1-2-1 visits to the campus of choice.
  • Support during interviews.

During course

  • Ongoing welfare support including money management, other funding opportunities, accommodation and academic issues.
  • Support from the following services: Creative Futures, Disability & SpLD, Wellbeing and Counselling and Learning and Teaching.
  • Where permission has been given by you, liaison with academic staff and administrators.
  • Referral to external support services, for example Togetherall, Carers Trust and Stand Alone.
  • Referral to Drive Forward, a charity with whom the University is currently working to improve the employment opportunities for care experienced students.
  • Where appropriate and permission is given, liaison with Social Services or other statutory bodies.

End of course

  • Referral to the Creative Futures careers service for progression advice, for example CVs, interviews and support after graduation.
  • Referral to other relevant organisations/educational establishments.
  • Information and guidance on managing your financesafter graduation.

The DMS will also:

  • Act as a point of reference and contact for the young person, carers and professionals working with them.
  • Ensure seamless support for the young person.
  • Maintain and keep accurate records of all contact.
  • Participate in external meetings where requested.

UCA will...

  • Regularly review its provision for vulnerable young people.
  • Aim to provide 365 accommodation when required. This may at times be subject to availability.
  • Monitor student achievements to ensure that timely help and advice is provided.
  • Respect the young person’s confidentiality wishes, in line with the University’s confidentiality statement.

We ask that the young person lets the DMS know if they are struggling with their studies or with any other issues as soon as
possible.

Meet the DMS team

The following DMS are the first point of contact for all carers, care experienced students and estranged students:

Canterbury

Anna Mepstead
+44 (0)1227 817 307
amepstead@uca.ac.uk

Epsom

Nyawira Njiraini
+44 (0)1372 202 441
nnjiraini@uca.ac.uk

Farnham

Andrea Beattie
+44 (0)1252 892 612
abeattie1@uca.ac.uk

If you have a disability or a specific learning difficulty our Disability and Specific Learning Difficulties (SpLD) Team are committed to
providing a welcoming and supportive environment for our students with disabilities and SpLDs. We aim to encourage an inclusive environment which enables students to develop their skills, knowledge and strategies to manage their own learning and to achieve their full potential.

Our wellbeing service provides a safe and approachable environment where anyone can access appropriate help and advice for their mental health and wellbeing. The team work closely with UCA’s counselling service as well as external mental health/ wellbeing providers. Our counselling service provides professional counselling to individual students free of charge.

Our counsellors are professionally qualified with years of experience and are accountable to both the University and to the professional bodies of which they’re members.

Our Learning Development Tutors and Liaison Librarians offer tailored workshops to help you develop the skills you need to study independently and express your research findings. They can also help you to develop skills in research, academic writing, time management and presentation techniques.

UCA has Careers and Professional Practice Advisors who you can contact to discuss your career development and get practical help with CVs and applications.

Contact us

UCA Canterbury

Anna Mepstead

+44 (0)1227 817 307

UCA Epsom

Nyawira Nijirani

Oliver Crenol

+44 (0)1372 202 441

UCA Farnham

Andrea Beattie

+44 (0)1252 892 612