A new publication to support young people accessing higher education, Pathways to Further and Higher Education for Looked After and Care Experienced Young People, is being launched this week at The Fostering Network’s annual Tick the Box event which is taking place on Thursday 29 October at the Crescent Arts Centre, Belfast.

The publication will provide information on the financial, practical and emotional support that is available to care experienced young people going on to further and higher education.  

Compiled through the collective efforts of a wide range of organisations including The Fostering Network, HSCB, Department of Employment and Learning, further and higher education institutions and voluntary organisations, the publication was produced by Ulster University. 

Kathleen Toner, director of The Fostering Network in Northern Ireland, said: “Pathways to Further and Higher Education for Looked After and Care Experienced Young People is comprehensive and will enable young people to work with their foster carers to navigate their own future. We do look forward to welcoming the foster carers, kinship foster carers, and young people who turn out to ask questions about how ticking the box on their UCAS form can help them secure a more positive future at the Tick the Box event.”

Deirdre Coyle, Commissioning Lead at the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB), said: “The HSCB, in partnership with The Fostering Network, is again delighted to celebrate the third annual Tick the Box event. Today the HSCB is also pleased to formally launch Pathways to Further and Higher Education for Looked After and Care Experienced Young People, a composite, comprehensive resource for carers, staff and young people. This sets out the route into further and higher education. Importantly it brings together in one place information on the range and sources of support that are available along the way.” 

Find out more about Tick the Box on The Fostering Network's website. Download your copy of Pathways to Further and Higher Education for Looked After and Care Experienced Young People.

If you'd like to attend the Tick the Box event on Thursday 29 October, please contact Kellie on 028 9070 5056.