New initiative launched for care leavers in higher education
By Ellen O'Regan
Munster Technological University (MTU) have announced the establishment of a university-wide initiative on their campuses in Cork and Kerry to support students who are care leavers.
The term care leaver is used to refer to any adult who spent time in out-of-home care as a child, such as foster care, residential care, or other arrangements outside the immediate or extended family.
Research has consistently highlighted that young people with care-experience have lower educational attainment, and progress through education at lower rates, than many other socio-economically disadvantaged students.
MTU have appointed two senior members of staff, Dr Tom O’Connor (Cork campus) and Dr Patrick McGarty (Kerry campus) to act as personal support advocates for care leavers to complement the existing range of student support services on both campuses.
The initiative is being rolled out in conjunction with EPIC (Empowering People In Care), the national voluntary body supporting care leavers.
Recent MTU graduate and care leaver Sarah O’Brien, says that “as a result of having grown up in care and experiencing an unrelenting cycle of trauma, grief and upheaval, I lacked in self-confidence and had zero belief in myself that I would succeed in third level education. Having that extra support while pursuing third level education can make the world of a difference to a care leaver.
“I am now working in a mental health rehabilitation unit as a social care worker and love every minute of it. I believe an initiative such as this would be a much-needed support for people who have been through the care system.”
Welcoming the initiative, Professor Maggie Cusack, President of MTU said “We at Munster Technological University are very pleased to launch this novel initiative for care leavers attending our undergraduate and postgraduate suite of courses. Both campuses of the university have proud track records of working with care leavers in their journey through higher education.
“This new initiative at the university will complement our existing range of student services including health, chaplaincy, careers, and counselling to support students through their education journey.”