HfS 5 Year Evaluation

To mark our five-year anniversary in February 2023, the HfS commissioned The Lines Between (TLB)
to deliver an independent evaluation. This sought to explore the service’s achievements, strengths, challenges, and considerations for future development.

Participants identified several other key strengths and factors which contribute to the HfS’ success:

• Highly skilled HfS staff, effective in building positive working relationships with learners and partner staff.
• Dedicated partners who recognise the alignment of the HfS with their corporate parenting responsibilities and commit to a shared vision.
• Its student ambassador programme, described by one internal feedback respondent as “sector leading”. The ambassadors have contributed lived experience, which has been integral to the development and achievements made by HfS to date.
• The provision of opportunities for socialising and networking, which enable care experienced learners to develop a sense of community and belonging at their institutions.
• Its unique role within the sector, which differentiates it from other services. By not being aligned with one institution, the HfS is seen as truly impartial, essential for gaining learners’ trust. It supports learners of all ages and stages with anything that is a barrier to further or higher education. It is a resource solely dedicated to care experienced learners. It also brings partners together to work collaboratively, rather than in competition.