Lincoln Bishop University achieves Quality Standard in Carer Support

Lincoln Bishop University is delighted to have achieved the Carers Federation’s Quality Standard in Carer Support for Higher Education (HE) accreditation and continues to be part of the Driving Change in Higher Education project. 

The Quality Standard in Carer Support (QSCS) has been developed in consultation with carers and gaining the accreditation showcases Lincoln Bishop’s commitment to supporting carers in their wider community. The accreditation helps to provide a more consistent approach to supporting students with caring roles, improving early identification of young adult carers, and developing appropriate and timely support to meet their needs. 

Alongside the accreditation, Lincoln Bishop continues to be part of the Driving Change in Higher Education project - lead by the Learning and Work Institute who is partnering with the Carers Federation, supported by the National Lottery Community Fund.

The purpose of the Driving Change in HE project is to review and improve the support offered to young adult carers by universities across England. 

According to the Learning and Work Institute, young adult carers are five times more likely to drop out of college and are 38% less likely to achieve a degree qualification. With this in mind, the project hopes to break down barriers to HE and provide young adult carers with the same opportunities as other young people. 

Lincoln Bishop recognises that students with caring responsibilities may face additional challenges in accessing and fully engaging with their studies. The University is committed to providing inclusive and responsive support to ensure that all students are able to succeed, within the framework of academic and professional requirements.

Colleagues across the University have been working together towards the accreditation – including our Widening Participation Officer, Gemma Gazi and Senior Lecturer in Health and Social Care, Leanne Leverton, with the support of Student Advisor, Helen Hards. 

Gemma said: “Working through accreditation has helped us to look more closely at the experiences of students who have caring responsibilities, identify where we can improve, and ensure that support for carers is embedded across the University. The process has strengthened our understanding of the challenges carers can face and has helped us develop more accessible support. 

“We recognise the valuable contribution that carers make to our community and are committed to creating an environment where people with caring responsibilities feel supported and able to thrive.”

Alongside the accreditation, Lincoln Bishop University was also awarded Top 10 in the UK for Low Participation Areas and Top 20 in the UK for Social Inclusion in The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2027. 

Leanne said: “I was proud to work alongside Gemma Gazi and the members of the CURA Carers Network to achieve the Quality Standard in Carer Support accreditation, reflecting the group's shared commitment to improving the experiences of student carers and ensuring their voices remain at the heart of university support and development. 

“Together, we coordinated and gathered the extensive evidence required for the accreditation process, showcasing the wide range of support, initiatives and partnerships in place across the University. We would also like to extend a special thank you to Helen Hards for her invaluable support throughout the accreditation process and for her continued dedication to supporting students with caring responsibilities.”

Find out more about Support for Student Carers at Lincoln Bishop here.