Student Parents
The Students' Union is constantly working hard to keep you engaged during your studies at Cardiff University. We are here to represent and support you on all matters that may surface during your time here as a student and we are constantly looking for more ways to better enhance your university experience.
University Life as a Student Parent
We understand the amount of stress, workload, different commitments, priorities and responsibilities that may be associated with caring duties or being a carer and studying and we are here to support as much as we can. Our Student Advice Team is accessible to all students and can offer expert legal support on general issues, academics, housing, work/life balance and guidance on any information you may need to help you thrive as student and a student parent.
Community
Cardiff University has got a diverse community of students from different parts of the world and ethnicities. There are lots of ways to meet other student carers/students, form meaningful friendships and build healthy relationships with like-minded individuals who may share similar interests as you. You can find connections through the Cardiff University Global Community Platform, join the Students' Union Carers and Parents Association Facebook group and sign up to become a member of the Carers and Parents Association.
You can also access our student groups, Student Led Services or volunteer with Cardiff Volunteering.
Pregnant During/While Studying with the University
The University has a policy on pregnancy, maternity and becoming a parent while enrolled on a programme of studies that includes a set of guidance notes for you. According to the University, this policy sets out Cardiff University’s commitment to ensuring the protection afforded to students under the Equality Act 2010 (the Act) during pregnancy and maternity. The Act considers pregnancy and maternity to be a protected characteristic and prohibits discrimination, harassment and/or victimisation on these grounds. This policy also sets out the University’s commitment to any student who becomes or is due to become a parent, whether through being the partner of a pregnant person, adoption or surrogacy.
You can download and have a copy of all the guidance notes set by the policy here.
Day Care Centre
The University operates a registered Day Care Centre for dependents of University staff and students aged 10 weeks to 5 years. Contact: creche@cardiff.ac.uk
Financial Support
There is some expectation that you will supplement your finances with savings/part-time work/financial support from family when studying at University. This expectation would mostly fit if you are an undergraduate student, however as a postgraduate student carer and most specifically an international postgraduate student carer, you may be faced with way more responsibilities than could be covered by the books. It is important that you learn time and money management, as you would have realized both are valuable currencies of students. If you need help or would like more advice on how to manage your finances, contact with the Advice and Money Team or see the Student Advice page on Money here.
Additional funding may be available to students with children. The funding is means-tested on the household income. It can include additional allowances and support towards childcare costs. Please contact your funding body for further information.
You may also be eligible to access the University’s Covid19 Student Support Fund.
You can email StudentFundingAndAdvice@Cardiff.ac.uk if you need further discussions on what’s available to you. At the moment, there is currently nothing on the COVID-19 Student Support Package intranet page to say that you cannot receive funding under all three areas if you are eligible. If, for example, you are receiving £350 because you are a student carer, or you are from a lower income household, you can still apply to the COVID-19 Student Support Fund for a further £350 if you are struggling to meet essential expenses because of the pandemic. The University has said that the distribution of this money will take some time to administer, and that they aim to pay those that are eligible for these top-ups by the end of June. The Covid19 Funding is applicable to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
If you are experiencing financial difficulty, you can also apply to the University's Hardship Fund, called the Financial Assistance Programme and/or, if you do not have the equipment you need for your programme of study, you can apply to the Digital Capability Scheme.
If you need personal budgeting or part-time application options or information on how being a parent will affect your studies, you can contact the the Students' Union Advice Team to discuss options such as reporting extenuating circumstances or even applying for an interruption of study.
The Advice and Money team in the University Student Support Centre can work with you to ensure you get all the funding you are entitled to from your funding body and from welfare benefits. If you need support in finding childcare or locating a school or you are moving to the area, the team can also provide support and signpost you to other services and organisations.
Student Support
You have access to all the services available within the Student Support Centre such as the Counselling, Wellbeing service, Dyslexia and Disability service, Careers and Employability.
The Students' Union believes that being pregnant, adopting a child, expecting a baby or planning for one should not in itself be a barrier to applying, starting and finishing successfully in any programme of your choice. The University is committed to flexibility around all different circumstances.
You can equally access these useful pages for more details on University support for you:
Academic/Well-Being Support and Representation
Having a full time study and a full time parenting duties can be difficult to manage sometimes and it is important to take care of yourself; your wellbeing and your mental health. The Students’ Union Elected Officers are all available to help and support you with any signposting information to existing services you may need. We are always available for a virtual meeting and please feel free to contact us via email.
The Elected Officers' contact details are as follows:
Get to know your personal tutors or supervisors. Build and maintain a mature, open and honest relationship with them and get them informed as much as you can on your academic or research progression. They are always professional and more than happy to help.
Find out the academic reps for your school and course. They serve as the feedback link between you, your school and us (your union). They are the voice of your school and cohort. You can read more about them and find out who they are here.
Self Declaration
If you have not yet disclosed that you are a student parent, please get in touch with Gareth Davies to organise any support you may need. If you are a postgraduate student or a mature undergraduate above the age of 25, there is also available support for you. Get in touch with Amy Close if you need work/study adjustments or general advice or call +44 (0)2920874844
Work Experiences and Skills Development
The University works in partnership with the Go Wales: Achieve through Work Experience programme that is part-financed by the European Social Fund (ESF) through the Welsh Government. This is a programme made for all young carers under the age of 25, on full-time course and have got caring responsibilities. If you need to contact the team, send them an email at gowales@cardiff.ac.uk.
The Students’ Union Jobshop is a free student employment service which aims to find paid work for all registered Cardiff University students. They offer a wide variety of paid opportunities on and around campus and the city centre, of which you can perfectly fit around your studies and caring duties. You don’t need to have previous work experience for many of these job vacancies, just enough enthusiasm and willingness to learn.
The Students’ Union Skills Development Service is there to provide you with personal and leadership development courses designed to improve transferable skills, build your confidence and help you gain positive attitudes for increased employability.
Join the Carers and Parents Association
The Students’ Union is organising a Student Association for Student Carers and Student Parents, which is run by a fellow student. If you would like to know more about the association, please contact Janet Williams.
Housing
Cardiff Students Union owns and operates a student letting service, Cardiff Student Letting, that is committed to ensuring you can find suitable houses with reputable landlords for you and your family. Cardiff Student Letting is located at the ground floor of the SU building. You can register with the service anytime if you need first-hand updates on good houses and locations. Contact: cardiffstudentletting@cardiff.ac.uk
Useful Contacts