Hallam awarded national quality mark for care experienced student support

27th October 2022

Sheffield Hallam University has been awarded the National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL) Quality Mark until 2025, recognising the University’s enhanced support for students who are care experienced.

The range of support at Hallam was described by NNECL as clearly demonstrating a strategic commitment to welcoming care experienced students and putting their success at the heart of the University.

The University supports care experienced students from the application stages of their journey, with a dedicated team to provide support to anyone who is care experienced during their application to Sheffield Hallam and support with travel costs to visit the University for events and open days. 

Whilst studying at Hallam, care experienced students at Hallam are offered bespoke support from a named contact. These advisors are able to provide one-to-one advice on the practical, welfare and financial support available.  

A financial support package is also available to care experienced students, which includes funding support and help in arranging accommodation and finding a guarantor. 

Jade Bytheway, Senior Access Development Officer at Sheffield Hallam University, said: “Sheffield Hallam was an early adopter of the Care Leaver Covenant and has had a long history of working with NNECL, education providers and local authorities to share best practice and advocate for the needs of care experienced students. 

“To be graded as Enhanced or Exceptional in all 7 areas of the NNECL Quality Mark is a testament to our work, approach and culture, and builds upon a history of supporting care experienced students here at Hallam.” 

Professor David Shepherd, Deputy Vice-Chancellor of Sheffield Hallam University, said: “Sheffield Hallam University has an outstanding record of transforming lives. We are committed to supporting all students who choose to study with us to succeed.  

“We are delighted that the award of the NNECL Quality mark recognises our longstanding with care leavers, care experienced, and more recently estranged students reflects our commitment to supporting students at every stage of their journey with us.” 

The NNECL Quality Mark is an accreditation process for universities and colleges to demonstrate their support for the inclusion and success of care experienced students.   

The Quality Mark framework evaluates the student lifecycle from outreach through to graduation, institutional culture and leadership and continuous improvement and future plans. 

Read more about Sheffield Hallam’s support for care experienced students here.