Going Further for Student Carers: Recognition Award

The Going Further for Student Carers: Recognition Award aims to make it easier for Scotland’s 27 colleges to identify, support and report on student carers, and recognise good practice.

This award incentives and encourages colleges to adopt a sustainable and whole institution approach.  

Scottish Funding Council data for 2018-19 shows that:

We know from our research that:

 Student carers face a difficult time at college. Often student carers feel that they are being pulled two ways, often more, if you take employment and trying to have time to socialise with friends and family. On the one hand student carers want to do well in their studies, be independent, achieve their goals, ambitions and aspirations; and they also feel that they need to care for their families or friends.

That is why we are asking all 27 colleges in Scotland to make student carers count when they look at the different groups that may need extra support to fulfil their potential.  

Our engagement with student carers and other stakeholders demonstrates time and again the extremely challenging conditions endured by student carers that is negatively impacting on them being able to enter, sustain and meet their true potential at college. 

It’s Time for Student Carers to Be Heard in Scotland 

To achieve the Going Further Award colleges will need to demonstrate that:

Student carers are being proactively identified from enrolment to completing their college course, and awareness is being raised throughout the college all year round.

Student carers are being supported to give them a fair chance to be successful in their studies and maintain positive health and wellbeing.

Student carer progressions are showcased, and evaluation tools are used to celebrate achievements and make improvements so that appropriate support is delivered.

Going Further for Student Carers Recognition Award Toolkit

Going Further for Student Carers Recognition Award Checklist

Key features of the Recognition Award:

  • No cost to apply and complete.
  • Clear guidance to develop student carer support.
  • Raising awareness of students with an unpaid caring role.
  • Encourages partnerships.
  • Recognises and celebrates good practice.

By coming on this journey, colleges, will send a positive message to student carers that they are recognised, supported and will be given a fair chance to be successful.

Colleges that have achieved the Going Further Award