Estranged students are young people studying without the support and approval of a family network. Young people in this position often have no contact at all with their family and have removed themselves from a dysfunctional situation. It is undoubted that students who are estranged from their family struggle to progress to and retain in Higher Education.

Stand Alone Charity works with the higher education sector across the UK to improve outcomes for estranged students who are living independently and studying without family support. As part of this work we have created the Stand Alone Pledge - a statement of commitment from a HEP and a tool to drive change within an institution. www.thestandalonepledge.org.uk

This Welsh conference will showcase examples of best practice and explore what Welsh higher education providers and the HE sector in Wales as a whole can do to develop support for estranged students to enhance access, retention and success.

A panel of estranged students currently studying in Welsh higher education will bring to life the difficulties and barriers they experience and will explore with you what support they think HE providers can and should offer them and how that could be reflected in national policy.

You will hear from Cardiff University and Swansea University about how the Stand Alone Pledge has driven change within their institutions and learn about examples of support they have implemented for estranged students.

Other speakers / sessions to include: Becca Bland, CEO Stand Alone, Go Wales, Unite Foundation, Student Finance Wales.

Draft Programme outline - Sessions are subject to change.

9.30am Registration

10.30am Welcome by Chair

Welcome to Cardiff University and why Cardiff University signed the Pledge

10.45am Welsh Government Minister (tbc)

11.00am The Stand Alone Pledge & Student Panel: Who are estranged students and barriers to HE

12.00pm Coffee

12.15am Best Practice Cardiff University and Go Wales

12.45am Best Practice Swansea University

1.15pm LUNCH

2.00pm Independent and estranged: Student Loans Company

2.30pm A holistic approach to supporting estranged students, Unite Foundation

3.00pm Panel discussion with HEFCW, SLC, Unite Foundation, Stand Alone

3.30pm Close