Committed to caring

‌The University of St Andrews has been recognised for its commitment in providing education to young people in and leaving care.

The prestigious Buttle UK Quality Mark is given to institutions in recognition of their work in supporting one of the most under-represented groups in education in the UK.

The award was created by the charity Buttle UK, the largest grant-giving organisation in the country directly supporting children and families living in poverty. The Quality Mark is awarded to colleges and universities committed to supporting a young person who has been in care, to access further and higher education, successfully complete their studies and achieve their ambitions.

The challenges facing young people leaving care are enormous. Often lacking family support, suffering financial disadvantage and struggling to find somewhere to live, applying for and being accepted for further and higher education is a real achievement.

To receive its Quality Mark the University of St Andrews had to demonstrate that it has a robust strategy in place to ensure that students from a care background can access a package of support – financial, pastoral and educational. The University has clearly shown it is committed to ensuring that young people from a ‘looked after’ background will be supported through its outreach work, admissions policy and bursaries.

In making their award, Susan Mueller, Buttle UK’s Quality Mark Manager said that St Andrews had ‘amply displayed its dedication and initiative to helping young people leaving care to receive an education and have the opportunity to succeed and move on to the next stage of their lives.’

Mike Johnson, the University’s Director of Access and Scottish/EU Admissions, said, “We are delighted that Buttle UK have recognised the work we do in the area of Looked After Children and we fully intend to make good the commitments we have made in this area.”

The award was recognised by Ken Greer, Fife Council’s Executive Director for Education and Learning and Cllr Lesley Laird, Chair of Fife’s Corporate Parent Board. She said “I am delighted that such a prestigious university as St Andrews has been awarded the Buttle UK Quality Mark for their commitment to Looked After Young People and care leavers locally in Fife as well as nationally.

“The Corporate Parent Board is pleased to be supporting the work they are planning to undertake with Fife’s Looked After Young People as we share a desire to offer every opportunity we can to our young people to support their learning and aspirations.”

Find out more about what the University is doing regarding Looked after Children and Care Leavers or visit the Buttle website for information on the Buttle UK Quality Mark for Care Leavers.

Note to Editors

Mike Johnson is available for comment on 01334 462279 or [email protected].

For more information on Buttle UK or the Quality Mark for Care Leavers contact Richard Barron on [email protected] or 07944611057.

Issued by the Press Office, University of St Andrews

Contact Gayle Cook, Senior Communications Manager on 01334 467227, [email protected].

Ref: Caring 311013