Noah Davies on what help is available for disadvantaged students.
In the UK, there’s a wide range of support available for disadvantaged students to help them overcome any barriers to education and reach their full potential. This assistance spans financial aid, academic support, and mental health resources provided by government bodies, charities, and individual schools or universities.
Financial help is at hand to those who need it. Eligible students from low-income families can receive free school meals, and also apply to the Pupil Premium to receive cost of living payments in the form of vouchers to use at supermarkets throughout school holidays. Pupil Premium also reduces the cost of school trips and additional tutoring where necessary. For students in post-16 education, the 16-19 Bursary Fund helps to cover costs such as transport, meals, equipment, and uniforms when attending school or colleges in England. It can also be used for training courses or unpaid work experience. Many universities offer scholarships and bursaries for disadvantaged students, including those from care, who are estranged from their families, or who come from low-income households. The Disabled Students Allowance (DSA) for all eligible students attending university, whether it’s for an undergraduate, postgraduate, or doctorate degree. Turn2Us is a great website where you can search all current grants, bursaries, scholarships and other funding sources which you may be eligible to apply for. If you’re unsure which charities to ask for help from, this tool saves a lot of time and helps to streamline your search for support.
Academic and career support is at hand from most academic institutions in the form of personalised support for students, whether they have a disability, neurodivergent or otherwise disadvantaged. The Uni Connect programme supports under-represented groups in accessing higher education. Many educational institutions offer dedicated support for young carers, including liaison officers and access to mental health support. Charities such as Carers Trusts provide additional resources and grants to support young carers throughout their educational journey. The National Careers Service offers professional advice and one-to-one support for people unsure about their future.
Additional support is at hand from the large number of charities who support specific groups of vulnerable or disadvantaged people, so it’s well worth doing some research to see what help is applicable to your personal circumstances. Organisations such as YoungMinds, Mind, and Place2Be offer resources, helplines, and in-school services to support young people facing mental health challenges, while local council and NHS services offer counselling support for those in need. The government is also working, alongside the NHS, to support young people in schools and colleges with mental health challenges by providing training and resources to hire mental health support teams (MHSTs).
For SEN support, schools may be able to offer speech therapy or other services. Speak to your teacher or SENCO (SEN Co-ordinator) to discuss your needs. You may need to create an education, health and care plan. For further information, you should discuss your worries and needs with your education provider directly, or contact your local council for additional guidance.