Step Up

Case studies

Step Up case studies allows readers to hear from people who have been supported by the Step Up funded projects. The participants share their story of how they have been supported by the Step Up provision. They explain how the training and support received has helped them to overcome their own personal barriers and enabled them to enhance and extend their training, education, and employment opportunities.

Strands

The case studies fall into individual strands.

College Connect - Further education provision

Focus on young people aged 16 - 24 who are not in education, employment, or training. The FE colleges aim to support the young people to return to education or into the labour market.

It also focuses on people who were out of work or unavailable for work. Further education colleges delivering this strand also aim to enhance and extend access to training and employment opportunities for people aged 24+ who are unemployed or economically inactive.

Case studies

• Returning to education
• Overcoming health barriers
• Confidence to pursue art and design

DARE – Disability Access Route to Education and Employment – FE provision

Focus on people who have a disability, are aged 16 years or over and are unemployed or economically inactive. The stories highlight the impact of support provided to enhance opportunities to gain qualifications and progress into work or stay in work.

Case studies

• Experience in chosen career path
• Returning to education
• Succeeding through music

WRAP - Women Returners Access Programme - FE provision

Its focus is on unemployed or economically-inactive women. The case studies show the positive impact which the support provides for women in building confidence, refreshing skills, gaining qualifications and work experience and to create progression pathways to further and higher education and/or employment.

Case study

• Support to gain confidence and skills

Care experienced bursaries - HE provision

The focus is on providing financial support for people in higher education who are care experienced. The case studies show the positive effect this financial assistance has had on allowing recipients to continue with their study.

Case studies

• Care experienced bursary - Back Up fund
• Care experienced bursary - funding a university dream[MK8]
• Care experienced bursary – help in achieving a degree

Reading Together - HE provision

Mentors within the higher education institution (HEI) provide one to one mentoring of young care experienced children as part of the Reading Together strand. These case studies allow those mentors to discuss the positive impact of the project both on the children, their carers and themselves.

Case studies

• Reading Together – positive impact on mentorv and children
• Reading Together - providing a safe space for children to learn
• Reading Together – positive impact on children and carers

Numeracy Programme - HE provision

Mentors within the HEI provide one to one mentoring of young care experienced children as part of the Numeracy Programme strand.

Step To Success - HE provision

Mentors within the HEI provide one to one mentoring of young care experienced children progressing from Reading Together into post primary.

Project ADAPT - HE provision

Students and staff have use of an app-based digital representations of the university campuses and teaching spaces supporting students to overcome barriers put in place by disability or special need and reducing stress and anxiety.

Student Success Skill Centre - HE provision

The Skills Centre will support students at high risk of non-returning and non-completion of degree course. Providing support and guidance when required.

Holistic Support for Students with a Disability/ Specific Learning Difficulties – HE provision

This support allows associated lectures in the college to meet with learners (pre-entry and post entry) to assess specific needs and devise plans detailing the support each learner will receive.

Supported Work Placements – HE provision

Supported Work Placements provide pupils from special education schools with work experience within the college, supported by college student teachers.

Building Professional Support - HE provision

This support is intended to increase awareness of higher education among care leaver young people and facilitating engagement.

Addressing Gender Imbalance – HE provision

This support provides outreach activities to encourage males into education.