LJMU first university to achieve benchmark for care leavers and estranged students

LJMU is leading UK higher education in the support of care leavers and estranged students.

The university this week was awarded the NNECL Quality Mark – the first outside of pilot schemes to receive the benchmark.

LJMU was rated as ‘enhanced’ for all areas and ‘exceptional’ in the case of how we relate to students before they join us, reflecting our joined-up approach to access and support between Student Recruitment & Admissions and Student Advice and Wellbeing Services.

Yvonne Turnbull, Director of Student Advice and Wellbeing, said the accolade was a reflection of exceptional cross-institutional collaboration and thanked the Steering Group for their continued hard work.

John Lennon 'Imagine' Awards

LJMU runs an award-winning John Lennon 'Imagine' Awards scheme offering care leavers £1,000 per year and providing individualised support from ‘application through to graduation and beyond’.

Students can access 1-2-1 advice at any time on funding, accommodation and academic work, have a guaranteed first-year place in student halls in and out of term-time. Further, LJMU liaises with external agencies that students might be supported by.

Phil Bakstad, Student Inclusion Lead, said: “We’re totally committed to helping more care leavers go to university and ensuring the best experience once they arrive.

“For the Quality Mark, we were assessed on seven themes across the student life cycle and had to submit an action plan for future activities, which we can’t wait to get to work on.”