University awarded Quality Mark for Outstanding Support of Care Experienced and Estranged Students

The University of Wolverhampton has been awarded the prestigious National Network for the Education of Care Leavers (NNECL) Quality Mark, recognising its exceptional commitment to supporting care experienced and estranged students to access, succeed, and thrive in higher education.

This national accolade places Wolverhampton among a select group of universities acknowledged for sector-leading practice in inclusive education, compassionate safeguarding, and evidence-driven improvement.

A whole-university commitment

NNECL assessors praised Wolverhampton’s “clear leadership from the top translating into exceptional impact for students.” They highlighted the strong alignment between senior leadership, operational safeguarding, widening participation, student support, and academic teams - describing it as a model of joined-up working and shared purpose.

In 2024/25, 106 students were supported through the University’s Care Experienced and Estranged Student (CEES) Pathway, with 97% retained and progressing successfully. Over £112,500 was invested directly in bursaries, hardship funding, and wraparound support, alongside guaranteed 52-week accommodation and wellbeing initiatives such as No Lone Wolves and Quiet Orientation.

Dr Clare Dickens, Director of Student Life said: "This award is testament to the dedication and compassion of colleagues right across the university. Our work to support care experienced and estranged students is rooted in collaboration — from safeguarding and academic support to outreach and accommodation. I’m especially proud of the leadership of Donna-Louise Harvey, our Head of Operational Safeguarding and Institutional Lead for Care Experienced and Estranged Students, and of Natalie Latham and Mel Harris from Aspire to Uni, whose commitment and creativity have shaped so much of this success. Together, we’ve built a model of care that ensures every student is seen, supported, and empowered to succeed right across their student journey.”

Sector recognition

The NNECL panel rated Wolverhampton’s performance as:

• Exceptional for Continuous Improvement & Data and Collaborative & Partnership Working
• Enhanced across all other categories, including leadership, admissions, wellbeing, and student success

Assessors highlighted:

• Data-driven impact: “Nuanced and evidence-informed” evaluation, including the University’s new Student Card & Dashboard to monitor engagement and outcomes
• Innovation: Introduction of Genio assistive learning technology (formerly Glean) for all care experienced and estranged students from October 2025
• Collaboration: The Aspire2Uni (A2U) programme - a partnership with five West Midlands Virtual Schools - was described as “an excellent example of long-term collaboration with measurable impact.” The programme supports young people in care from Year 6 through to post-16 education, driving significant gains in GCSE attainment and progression to higher education

Celebrating a cross-institutional effort

The award reflects the combined efforts of teams and individuals across the University who share a deep commitment to inclusion and safeguarding.

Donna-Louise Harvey, appointed Head of Operational Safeguarding and Institutional Lead for Care Experienced and Estranged Students in 2023, led the coordination of the Quality Mark submission and development of the CEES Pathway. Donna-Louise will represent the University and share its work at the NNECL National Conference in London on Monday 10 November.

The achievement also recognises the sustained commitment of the Aspire2Uni team, including Natalie Latham and Mel Harris, whose long-standing partnerships with local Virtual Schools underpin outreach and transition work with children in care and estranged students. Their programme continues to deliver tangible improvements in attainment, aspiration, and access to higher education.

Together, these efforts demonstrate what can be achieved when academic, professional, and outreach colleagues unite behind a shared goal — ensuring that every care experienced and estranged student is seen, supported, and empowered to succeed.

Looking Ahead

Building on this success, the University will:

• Recruit a Safeguarding and Welfare Officer to expand capacity and continuity of support
• Embed student voice and qualitative evaluation into its improvement cycle
• Roll out institution-wide training on care experience and estrangement
• Strengthen links with local authorities to support graduates who choose to remain in Wolverhampton