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University of York

York wins continued recognition for its work supporting care experienced and estranged students

Posted on 18 June 2025

The University’s Quality Mark from The National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL) has been renewed, recognising the University’s ongoing commitment and expertise in supporting estranged students and those with care experience.

The Quality Mark was launched to provide universities with a framework to achieve the best outcomes for their care experienced and estranged students. It assesses support in seven key areas, covering the whole of the student lifecycle. The support provided at York was assessed as ‘exceptional’ in five of those areas, and ‘enhanced’ in the remaining two.

York’s current support offer to care experienced and estranged students includes a dedicated team, year round accommodation on campus, a financial package including an accommodation subsidy and bursary to cover necessary costs, tailored careers, employment and training opportunities and events to socialise with other independent students. Additionally, for those considering applying to York, there is support with travel and overnight accommodation, and the possibility of contextual offers.  

Best outcomes

Professor Tracy Lightfoot, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Teaching, Learning, and Students, said in response to the renewal of the Quality Mark: "Our founding principles focus on equality and opportunity for all, and this continues today in our ambition to be the University of Opportunity within the UK.

"That’s why we are fully committed to supporting students from underrepresented groups, such as care experienced and estranged students, to join us at the University of York and to ensure we help them to achieve success while they’re here and in their life post-graduation.

"When we were first awarded the NNECL Quality Mark in 2022, I said that the submission process empowered us as an institution to review our support offer, and to continue to develop it, ensuring the very best outcomes for our care experienced students. This renewal, with five areas now rated ‘exceptional’, reflects the hard work and commitment we’ve seen across the University."

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