Carers
Are you a Carer?
Carers Trust Scotland define a carer as: ‘anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction and cannot cope without their support.’
The College has adopted the Carers Trust Scotland definition.
Why Carers may need more support at College?
College can be a tough time for students who also have caring responsibilities at home. Juggling the commitments of study with those responsibilities can often make student carers feel like they are being pulled in two ways. If you let us know you are a carer, we can offer assistance to support you, including guidance and emotional support.
You may find that you don’t think you need any support at first but, if things change and you find you are struggling with your studies, then please let us know. Where needed, the Funding Team can make adjustments to the Bursary/EMA attendance criteria to take into consideration caring responsibilities, for example allowing additional absences.
If you receive your funding from SAAS, you may also be eligible for the Dependant's Grant - which is an income assessed bursary awarded to those with a husband, wife, partner, civil partner, or another adult who you act as a carer for. Full details, including eligibility and how to apply, can be found on the carers trust website.
There is a Young Carers Grant, a yearly cash payment of £326.65 per year (2022/23) for 16-18 year olds. You can claim if you are in further education and may be eligible if you meet all of the following criteria:
- you live in Scotland
- you are 16, 17 or 18 years of age when applying
- caring for an average of 16 hours per week, over a 13-week period
- care for someone normally paid a qualifying disability benefit
- you have not applied for or receive Carer’s Allowance
- you are not paid or volunteer to care
- find out more on the Government website
Going Further for Student Carers: Recognition Award
We are delighted to say that UHI Perth has been recognised for its work to support student carers and has been achieved the Going Higher Award from Carers Trust Scotland.
Launched in 2019, the award makes it easier for Scotland’s 27 colleges to identify, support and report on student carers, and recognise good practice.
To achieve the Going Further Award, UHI Perth demonstrated that:
- Carers are being proactively identified from enrolment to completing their college course, and awareness is being raised throughout the college all year round.
- Carers are being supported to give them a fair chance to be successful in their studies and maintain positive health and wellbeing.
- Student carer progressions are showcased, and evaluation tools are used to celebrate achievements and make improvements so that appropriate support is delivered.
The University of the Highlands and Islands has also been recognised for its work to support student carers.