An OU conference to look at supporting carers who are studying has heard that learning at all life stages is a universal right.
One of Parliament's most vocal champions for carers, Dr Hywel Francis MP, told the conference that more still needed to be done to convince policy-makers that higher education is not populated only by 18-year-olds but 'arguably the most pressurised and marginalised section of society' - carers - who are 'entitled to learning at all stages of life'.
As ever, he noted 'finance is the biggest barrier for carers wishing to study'.
Carers UK Director of Policy and Public Affairs Emily Holzhausen echoed his message, quoting University of Leeds research which showed carers were less likely to have higher education qualifications than their peers. "Caring is unpredictable so flexibility of really important. It's critical we continue to be pioneers to offer more flexible forms of learning."
improving services for carers
In workshop sessions conference participants had a range of suggestions to make the OU even more open to carers, including
- the opportunity for students to identify themselves as having a caring responsibility in their records
- advocates to support them in asking for and accessing additional help
- awareness training for those who have direct contact with students
- dedicated advisers for carers
But the most powerful argument for providing greater support for carers throughout all education came from the carers themselves - among them OU student Maxi who spoke of her plans to use her OU humanities degree to enter teacher training: "I love learning - it affirms life!"
What would you change to make university education more accessible for carers? Comment in the forum.
Participants at a conference for those who are studying while caring had plenty of suggestions for making higher education more accessible to them.
