Support with your education

While you’re in school, we can give you support in many different ways. 

• Between the ages of 16 and 18, a  Virtual School worker or special education and employment officer will help you plan your next steps in education, get the right support, and ensure that you have the best educational opportunities.
• You will be invited to careers and college events which are aimed at informing you about various career choices and pathways.  During this event, you will receive information about college enrolment, retention and benefits. There will also be the opportunity for you to learn about apprenticeships and financial support for apprenticeships
• You will be able to apply to various colleges, apprenticeship and training opportunities.

If you are in further education (such as college), we can support you with:

• £300 towards travel per year 
• A laptop at the beginning of the course (max £400) (depending what course you are on  and only if you haven’t previously received one as part of the offer)
• £100 per year towards books and equipment
• Field trips paid for (within reason)
• £200 per year toward registration and awarding body costs at the start of each academic year (over 19 years)

When you are at university (higher education), you will get: 

A yearly bursary for up to three years in total. This is made up of:

• £2,000 higher education bursary, divided over three years (for those aged 18 and older)
• £1,750 towards out-of-term accommodation for each year that you are at university (every year, for three years) 
• £300 towards travel per year
• Laptop at the beginning of your course (max £400). For those entering higher education and only if you haven’t previously received one as part of the offer
• £100 towards books and equipment for your course per year 
• Field/university trips paid for within reason (Please discuss with your PA)

This is just the support from Southwark and won’t cover the full cost of your studies. Speak to your PA about getting access to funding for your student fees – some universities and colleges already have bursaries for care leavers or young people facing financial hardship. 

College enrolment and retention 

We will provide you with opportunities that will help you enrol in college and keep your placement in college. We will work closely with your college choice to support your attendance and course completion. 

To enable us to do this effectively you will need to sign a consent form. This will enable us work with your college choice to ensure your concerns and needs are addressed.