Bristol hosts conference aiming to get youngsters in care into higher education

Helping young people in care to get into higher education will be the focus of a conference running in Bristol.

Taking place on Wednesday 20 October, the conference hosted by Bristol City Council, will discuss the findings of the YiPPEE project.

The YiPPEE project looked into the barriers and help for young people staying in education after school when they have been placed in care.

Currently, only one care leaver in Bristol was in higher education seven years ago compared to 18 in university today.

Professor Sonia Jackson, lead researcher on the YiPPEE project said: “Bristol was chosen as a host venue because it is a regional city with a relatively high number of young people in care. Bristol has an outstanding record in improving the education of looked after children and supporting them, particularly in trying to make leaving care a transition rather than an abrupt cut off point. It also has a good record in enabling young people to get back into education when they have fallen behind due to difficult personal circumstances. Nationally, extremely few young people in care reach the same point educationally as other young people of the same age and ability. Bristol is unique in having a highly qualified teacher embedded in the care and after team.”