We recognise that some students face additional responsibilities or challenges beyond College. St Brendan’s provides understanding, flexibility and pastoral support to help students stay engaged and succeed.
Children in care or looked after children are defined as a child who has been in the care of their local authority for more than 24 hours. Looked after children are also often referred to as children in care.
Students who are looked after or care‑experienced are supported through:
- Designated staff contacts
- Pastoral guidance
- Close working with relevant agencies
Support is handled sensitively and confidentially. Children in Care and Looked after children receive support with transitioning from secondary school to college life.
New students can discuss choices with a member of the Inclusive Learning team to help guide them through the options. Once enrolled, students will have access to a designated teacher can help you get adjusted to college life and help you find your way around.
A young carer is someone aged 25 and under who cares for a family member who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction, cannot cope without their support.
What’s on offer?
Young Carers at St Brendan's are offered individual support from a designated teacher. This support provides students with college-based skills such as time management and organisation. We assist with post-18 support: UCAS, apprenticeship and job applications. The designated teacher will meet with each young carers once they start at St Brendan's to gain an understanding of their specific situation and to create a tailored approach to their education. These transition meetings aim to identify need and fit college around any caring responsibilities.
The college offers pastoral support from the Mental Health and Welfare team and regular check-ins. Young carers may balance education with caring responsibilities. We work with students to:
- Understand their circumstances
- Offer flexibility where appropriate
- Provide emotional and practical support
Although adopted children are not in the care of the local authority, the college understands the may face some challenges. Students attending St. Brendan’s who have been adopted benefit from the support of the designated teacher this is supported by Children and Social Work Act 2017, schools and local authorities a duty to promote their educational achievement.
Students are encouraged to share information at a pace that feels right for them. All information is treated respectfully and confidentially.
Children in care:
Our dedicated Careers Team are here to help you make the best choices for your next steps. Whether that is applying for university, apprenticeships or work. They will be here to ensure you have the knowledge you need to tackle life after college. There are also many organisations which can support Children in care after they leave.
https://www.barnardos.org.uk/what-we-do/services/bristol-care-leavers
If you’d like to find out more about this support, please contact Sensimilia, our Student Inclusion Lead for Children in Care and Care Leavers. She can be contacted at Sensimilia.Mclean@stbrn.ac.uk
Young carers:
Our dedicated Careers Team are here to help you make the best choices for your next steps. Whether that is applying for university, apprenticeships or work. They will be here to ensure you have the knowledge you need to tackle life after college. There are also many organisations which can support Young carers in life after college.
FAQs
Children in care and care‑experienced students are supported through designated staff, pastoral guidance and close working with relevant professionals to help them engage confidently with College life.
Young carers may balance education with caring responsibilities. The College offers understanding, flexibility where appropriate and confidential pastoral support to help students manage their commitments.
Yes. Information is handled sensitively and shared only with staff who need to know, in line with safeguarding and data protection guidance.
No. Support is designed to remove barriers and help students engage fully with learning, while maintaining high expectations and encouraging independence.
