Ayrshire College recognised for supporting student carers
Ayrshire College has achieved the Going Further for Student Carers Recognition Award.
Launched in March 2019 by Carers Trust Scotland, supported by the Scottish Funding Council, the award recognises Ayrshire College’s ongoing commitment to providing a learning environment that is rewarding and ensures equal opportunities to student carers.
In officially rewarding Ayrshire College with the award, a spokesperson for Carers Trust Scotland commented: “Overall a strong comprehensive application that demonstrates the breadth and depth of work Ayrshire College has done and continues to implement and develop to identify, support and report on student carers.”
Ayrshire College had to provide evidence that shows student carers are given the support to be successful in their studies. The college also had to demonstrate that student carers are being proactively identified from enrolment at the college, or can let their caring status be known at any point in their learning journey.
A carer is someone of any age who looks after and provides unpaid support to a family member or friend who, due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or addiction, cannot cope without their support. Student carers do not have to be formally recognised as a carer to access the support they need.
Student carers at Ayrshire College are being supported in balancing their caring commitments with their studies and supported to maintain positive mental health and wellbeing.
Carers should expect to have a named contact within the Student Experience Team who they can go to with any issues they may have. They may have a Personal Learning and Support plan to ensure that the impact of their caring responsibilities on their learning can be managed with the support of the curriculum staff and college support staff.
Charlotte Mitchell, Student Association Advisor at Ayrshire College, said: “The Student Association is delighted to have been part of the award submission. We appreciate how difficult it can be for student carers who often feel they are being pulled in different directions, sometimes with the added challenge of employment, childcare or their own disability.
“Achieving the award is recognition of the hard work that goes on across the College to ensure that the needs of our student carers are identified and catered for, and gives students and potential students a clear message that Ayrshire College is somewhere they will be supported to succeed.”
Student carers at the College have reported that they have found their situations particularly difficult through the current Covid-19 restrictions, due to a reduction in respite and support services and having to spend more time in their caring roles, often with other commitments such as home schooling thrown in.
The Ayrshire College Student Association’s Student Carers Forum has given them an opportunity to come together to chat about their experiences and offer peer support. If you would like further information on the Ayrshire College Student Carers Forum, or would like to join, please email Charlotte Mitchell charlotte.mitchell@ayrshire.ac.uk.
3 March 2021
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