Ulster University recently hosted a special celebration at the Belfast campus, marking the successful completion of a pioneering short course on ‘Early Adversity and Developmental Trauma’.
Designed for care-experienced and adopted young people, this course was developed to address the specific challenges faced by care-experienced young people and represents a significant step towards increasing access to higher education for those from disadvantaged backgrounds.
The programme received funding from Ulster University’s Widening Access and Participation fund, through support from Professor Ruth Fee (Dean of Flexible Education & Widening Participation) and Claire Mulrone (Head of Widening Access and Participation).
The 10-week course, developed by Dr Dominic McSherry from the School of Psychology, Paul Cassidy and Philip Turbitt, aimed to help care-experienced young people gain confidence and support in their journey towards higher education, and build a sense of belonging and entitlement.
The course featured a collaborative design by academic and non-academic staff from across Ulster University, alongside colleagues from a range of voluntary organisations that specialise in training and support services for care experienced and adopted young people and their families. These included the Fostering Network, Voice of Young People in Care (VOYPIC), Adoption UK and Action for Children, and their input ensured that the course was grounded in theory, policy and best practice.
Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan, University Provost, welcomed guests from across the educational, statutory, and voluntary sectors, who joined to celebrate the students, as well as the collaborative effort that made the course possible.
Research shows that care-experienced children are significantly less likely to attend university than their peers. Statistics reveal that only 14% of care-experienced young people achieve 5 GCSEs at grades A* to C, compared to 54% of their peers, with just 14% progressing to higher education.
The course’s success is in part due to the multi-professional approach taken by Ulster University and its partners. Brenda Kilpatrick from VOYPIC provided invaluable mentoring while Ms Sophy McFarlane of the Pneuma Health Care Centre provided therapeutic support to the students. The input of colleagues from the Fostering Network, VOYPIC, Adoption UK, and Action for Children, has ensured that the content of the course is grounded in both theory and practical experience, reflecting the realities faced by care-experienced individuals. A number of clinical psychologists offered expert insight and support, further contributing to the tailored approach of the course.
In recognition of the course’s success and its potential to change lives, Ulster University has recently secured a generous philanthropic donation of £10,000 for the next two years from the Irish Youth Foundation through the Giving | Grousbeck Fazzalari Foundation, based in USA. This will fund the continuation of the course in the coming years, ensuring that even more care-experienced young people have the opportunity to benefit from this life-changing programme.
A special mention was given to Martin McMullan, a representative of the Irish Youth Foundation, who is CEO of Youth Action NI and has long supported Ulster University’s efforts to increase educational opportunities for young people.
University Provost Professor Cathy Gormley-Heenan, commented:
"The University is thrilled with the success of the first year of the course, which highlights the systemic barriers these young people often face when trying to access higher education. The students' stories are ones of triumph, demonstrating that with the right support and their incredible determination, care-experienced young people can achieve great things.
“I extend my heartfelt congratulations to the students, mentors, and supporters who have contributed to this milestone. Your courage, hard work and determination will inspire others for years to come.”
Dr Dominic McSherry, who has been Reader in Psychology at Ulster University for the last six years, and whose research and teaching has focused on the lives of care experienced people for the last 25 years, added:
“As Ulster University continues its commitment to widening access to education, this event has celebrated not only the students' achievements but also the need for educational equity for all young people, regardless of their backgrounds.
“This has been a wonderful occasion to reflect on how far these students have come, and a reminder of the collective responsibility we all share in breaking down barriers to higher education for those who need it.”
