Ayrshire College’s approach to supporting Care Experienced students has attracted interest from other colleges following a presentation at the STAF Conference 2026 in Stirling.
The Student Experience team shared how the College is moving from reactive to proactive support, helping students access advice and guidance earlier and in ways that work for them.
At the heart of this approach is a ‘priority group process’, which uses regular, informal check-in messages to keep in touch with students who may need additional support. Messages are sent across multiple channels, giving students the choice of how they communicate with the team.
The response has been positive, with replies to messages doubling since the approach was introduced. Microsoft Teams has proved particularly popular, including among male students who may be less likely to book a formal appointment but are more comfortable starting a conversation through an informal chat.
These everyday conversations help staff identify concerns earlier, respond to emerging needs and connect students with the right support before issues escalate.
The approach forms part of the College’s wider commitment to helping students overcome barriers to learning and achieve their potential. Around 1,000 students – approximately 10% of the student body – are Care Experienced, alongside students with caring responsibilities, exceptional entry, veterans and estranged students.
Ayrshire College has achieved the second-best outcomes in Scotland for Care Experienced students, reflecting its ongoing work to support students to progress and succeed.
Following the conference session, other colleges expressed interest in learning more and exploring how they could adopt similar approaches. In November, the team will share an overview of Ayrshire College’s support for care-experienced students with Fiona Duncan from The Promise, following an invitation from East Ayrshire Council to contribute to her visit. This is an opportunity to share good practice and highlight how the College is working to improve experiences and outcomes for care-experienced learners.
The College’s contribution to sharing practice extends to Compassionate Communication. Student Engagement & Wellbeing Team Leader, Teri Evans, contributed a case study on this topic, published by QAA: Proactive, Personable Outreach at Ayrshire College
Wendy McColl, Head of Student Experience, said:
We want students to feel that support is there for them before they reach a point where they need to ask for help. Regular, informal check-ins make it easier to start conversations, build relationships and identify when someone might need additional support. By sharing our experience, we hope other colleges can see how small changes in communication can make a real difference to how connected and supported students feel.
Building on this success, the College plans to extend regular check-ins to its wider student population, with students outside the priority groups set to receive a monthly check-in message.
Support also continues beyond term time. Students receive check-ins over the summer, while applicants are sent encouraging messages and guidance to help them prepare for college. This means students can get the information and support they need before the academic year begins, helping them feel more confident and ready to learn.
By sharing its experience and learning from others, Ayrshire College aims to strengthen support for Care Experienced students and contribute to more inclusive learning environments across the sector.
Find out about support for Care Experienced students at Ayrshire College: Engagement and Wellbeing Support | Ayrshire College