Corporate Parenting Plan
2025–2028

Corporate Parenting Plan 2025-2028

1. Introduction

As a Corporate Parent under the Children and Young People (Scotland) Act 2014, Abertay is committed to supporting care-experienced students to thrive while studying at the university. This plan outlines our strategic approach to fulfilling our statutory duties and creating a nurturing, inclusive environment for care-experienced learners.

2. Our Vision

We aspire to be a university where care-experienced students feel welcomed, supported, and empowered to succeed. We will work collaboratively to remove barriers, raise aspirations, and ensure equity of opportunity and align with our values: Inclusive, Caring, Innovative, Collaborative.

3. Our Corporate Parenting Duties

We will:

• Be alert to matters which might adversely affect care-experienced students.
• Assess their needs and promote their interests.
• Provide opportunities to participate in university life.
• Support their wellbeing and development.
• Take action to help them access and make the most of our services.

4. Our Context

As a small university, we offer a close-knit, supportive community. Our size allows us to provide personalised support and build strong relationships with students. The University also works closely with local authorities, colleges, and third-sector organisations.

5. Strategic Priorities (2025–2028)

A. Access and Admissions

• Offer contextual admissions for care-experienced applicants.
• Promote our support offer through outreach and widening access activities.
• Guarantee interviews for relevant courses where appropriate.
• Work with Partner Further Education Colleges to support access. 

B. Transition and Induction

• Provide pre-entry guidance and named contacts.
• Offer bespoke induction sessions and welcome packs.
• Ensure early engagement with support services.

C. Financial and Practical Support

• Provide a care-experienced bursary and an accommodation guarantee with our preferred Private Sector Accommodation Provider (IQ).
• Offer priority access to hardship funds and digital support.
• Ensure clear signposting to financial advice.

D. Academic and Pastoral Support

• Assign a named advisor for care-experienced students.
• Provide flexible learning support and extensions where needed.
• Offer career mentoring opportunities.

E. Staff Training and Awareness

• Deliver training for academic and professional services staff.
• Include care-experience awareness in induction for new staff.
• Promote a culture of empathy and understanding.

F. Monitoring and Evaluation

• Collect and analyse data on care-experienced student outcomes.
• Involve students in shaping and reviewing our support.
• Report annually to the Senior Management Team and publish progress updates.

6. Governance and Accountability

The plan is overseen by the Corporate Parenting Steering Group, chaired by the Head of Student Services, with representation from:

• Student Services (x2 – Advisory and Careers).
• Admissions and Widening Access (x1).
• AbLE Academy (x1).
• Students’ Association (President or Vice-President).
• Care-experienced student representatives (x 2).

7. Partnership Working

We will continue to collaborate with:

• Local authorities and Virtual School Heads.
• Colleges and schools.
• Who Cares? Scotland and other third-sector partners.
• Scottish Funding Council and other universities.

8. Student Voice

We are committed to co-producing services with care-experienced students. We will:

• Facilitate regular feedback sessions and focus groups.
• Involve students in staff training and awareness campaigns.
• Celebrate care-experienced student achievements.

9. Review and Next Steps

This plan will be reviewed annually, with a full refresh in 2028. We will publish an annual report on progress and update our action plan accordingly.