Democracy

This proposal outlines the necessity for a dedicated Part-Time Officer (PTO) to represent students who have experience in the care system or are irreconcilably estranged from their families. Currently, these students face unique barriers to retention, mental health, and financial security that are not specifically addressed by existing representative roles, such as Part Time Officers for Students with Disabilities Officer (Non-Visible Disabilities Place), Students with Disabilities Officer (Physical Disabilities Place), Students with Disabilities Officer (Open Place), Mature Students Officer and LGBTQ+ (Trans & Non-Binary Place) Officer. While we have general "Welfare" or "Equality" officers, the intersectional challenges of CEES students are highly specialised: Holiday Periods: While other students go home for Christmas or Summer, these students often face homelessness or isolation if year-round housing isn't secured. Financial Complexity: Navigating student finance as an independent student requires specific bureaucratic knowledge. Retention Rates: Statistically, these groups are at a higher risk of dropping out due to a lack of a safety net. The CEES Officer would act as a bridge between the student body and University Management, focusing on: Policy Advocacy: Ensuring the university’s "Access and Participation Plan" specifically targets care leavers and estranged students. Community Building: Organising social mixers to reduce the isolation often felt during university breaks. Resource Navigation: Working with the Student Union to provide clear guides on bursaries, guarantor schemes, and year-round accommodation. By creating this role, the Union demonstrates a commitment to true inclusivity. It ensures that "widening participation" is not just a recruitment slogan, but a lived reality for the most vulnerable members of our community.