HUB for success

The Hub for SUCCESS is focused on the individual, offering bespoke support for looked after / care-experienced people from as young as 5 Primary 6 to mature adulthood. Unlike other widening access initiatives this project is not focused on postcodes or ‘low progression schools’, as people with experience of care can live in any postcode in the region and attend any school. The Hub for SUCCESS was formed to build a collaborative holistic approach to supporting care experienced people in the South-East; to ensure that learners are signposted to the service they need and to create a model for a national approach.

A region-wide initiative to increase educational opportunities for people who have spent time in care, from early intervention to post-completion of higher education.  Edinburgh’s universities, colleges and the City Council work in partnership to reduce the numbers of care-experienced people leaving school at the minimum age and with few qualifications. The Hub is based in the City of Edinburgh Council Customer Hub on the Royal Mile and acts as a drop-in centre alongside its offer of outreach activities, such as events at community centres and schools, or home and campus visits.

The Hub works with city schools to develop targeted projects that raise the expectations and awareness of care experienced people of all ages. The Hub engages directly with those services that specialise in providing support for individuals with experience of care. More specifically, it forges strong connections with local authority services and third sector bodies that work most closely with looked after or care-experienced people by making direct links with Throughcare and Aftercare Services, social workers, Head Teachers, and also with Champions Boards, which are comprised of care-experienced young people. It works with third sector bodies such as Barnardo’s, Who Cares? Scotland and The Prince’s Trust. It has a specific aim of increasing student retention at school and completion at university.

The Hub is open to people of all ages who have experience of care. They do not need to meet the definition of ‘care leaver’ or be under 26, to access services. It also provides information and advice to carers and others who support people with care experience.

As a founding partner the initial costs of the project were met by the University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh Napier and Heriot-Watt and The Scottish Children’s Lottery through its Chance to Study programme. The partnership now includes The University of Edinburgh with Edinburgh Napier University, Heriot-Watt University, Queen Margaret University, the Open University in Scotland, Edinburgh College, Newbattle Abbey College and City of Edinburgh Council.