Theory of Change Narrative: Care Experienced Sustained Programme for Students and Train the Trainer Programme for Supporters and Influencers

Higher Education Progression Partnership (Hepp) is a jointly funded initiative by Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Sheffield that provides impartial advice and guidance across South Yorkshire and North East Derbyshire. Hepp aims to encourage more children, young people and adults that have experienced personal, systematic, or cultural barriers to accessing higher education to consider it as a viable option. Hepp has identified target groups for activity based on their new strategic approach, which includes care experienced students. Hepp is perfectly positioned as an impartial provider of advice and guidance to support the access of care experienced students. Hepp has existing relationships with virtual schools, foster carer organisations and designated teachers within schools to enable Hepp to connect with students from this underrepresented group. This report provides a narrative and a Theory of Change model for a sustained programme (students) and a Train the Trainer activity (supporters/influencers) which aims to increase awareness and knowledge about higher education. An extensive literature review was undertaken to identify barriers that care experienced students may encounter when accessing higher education. The outcomes of both interventions are articulated as short, medium and long-term outcomes. Within the Train the Trainer activity, there are three main activities that stakeholders will be able to engage with: video programme; foster carer sessions; and stakeholder engagement. The sustained programme for students will involve a launch event, a sustained programme (for year 8 to year 10 students), a celebration event (for year 11 students) and a newsletter.