We’re calling for better access and support in tertiary education for care leavers

NEWS UPDATES

7/15/20253 min read

silhouette of people standing on hill
silhouette of people standing on hill

Tertiary Education For Care Leavers (TE4CL - Kia Eke) is a new care leaver founded advocacy initiative, aimed at improving equitable access to tertiary and further education for people who have been in state or foster care.

Kia Eke means to ascend; to succeed; to climb; to embark; to land and settle, placing an emphasis on movement, participation and progression. We work with a number of groups; care experienced whānau (all ages and life stages), the services that support them, and tertiary education providers and decision makers.

We envision a future where, with the right support, all care experienced whānau can flourish in whatever future they choose to pursue. Right now we’re calling on tertiary education providers and the wider community to climb aboard the waka towards meaningful change.

For care experienced people (those who have been in state or foster care, or any form of out of home care) and care leavers (those who have ‘aged’ out of care, 18yrs+), accessible and user-friendly support and guidance to progress into tertiary or further education is essential, especially as many aren’t aware that it's an option.

TE4CL was born out of a recognition that other countries support care leavers into and during tertiary education a lot better than Aotearoa does. There are a large number of barriers that exist for care leavers accessing tertiary or further education, both individual challenges such as funding, stable housing and mentoring, but also more broader, societal challenges such as stigma.

A 2023 report for the Tertiary Education Commission found:

  • Only 14% of those who have been in care gain a tertiary qualification by the age of 25, compared with 50% of the general population.

  • Many also face challenges like funding support, disability, mental health issues or unstable housing.

The latest statistics from Oranga Tamariki show a significant proportion of care leavers transitioning to independence are Māori and Pasifika. All of this indicates a need for culturally grounded, equity-driven, tailored solutions at all stages of further education.

There are successful international initiatives we’d like to see emulated in Aotearoa:

  • In the UK, Become Charity runs the Propel initiative, which has made significant gains in helping care leavers access tertiary education, and thrive during their time in education. They do this by partnering with local and central government, councils, and tertiary providers, as well as providing financial and accommodation support.

  • In Australia, Raising Expectations provides a peer mentoring service which supports young people in out-of-home-care or with care experience to aspire to and succeed in higher education and vocational training. The support is highly valued by participants.

Change is already happening. Across Aotearoa New Zealand, communities, educators and care leavers are coming together to co-create equitable pathways into tertiary and further education for our care experienced whānau.

So far we have established collaborative partnerships with the Tertiary Education Commission, Transition Support Services (Oranga Tamariki), University of Otago, AUT and VOYCE-Whakarongo Mai, with more in progress. Plans are also underway to establish scholarships and mentoring support.

We encourage care experienced people, tertiary education providers, care support workers, caregivers and anyone else interested in learning more to join the TE4CL community.

“Education was a lifeline to me when I was in foster care, offering a place of respite against difficult circumstances at home. However, when it came to accessing the tertiary institution I had dreamed of and worked hard towards back in 2013, I simply wasn’t able to. I co-founded TE4CL to ensure that the awe-inspiring yet often untapped potential of care experienced whānau is fully recognised and rewarded”.

- Dr Injy Johnstone, Co-founder

“We’re not reinventing the wheel with this kaupapa. Instead we’re focused on connecting, strengthening and progressing existing supports as well as filling gaps, so they are fit for purpose for our care experienced whānau. All care experienced whānau have the right to meaningful, supported and inclusive further education pathways - we’re here to make that happen.”

- Isaac Heron, Co-founder.

Join the TE4CL Community!