Lesson 3.2: Emotional Barriers
Estrangement can also impact emotionally on the student and family. Some of these emotional barriers can and may impact on relationships and can have profound effects on the young person’s future outcomes. Some of these barriers include things like:
It is important for us to recognise how these barriers and emotions can impact a student’s ability to flourish and pursue a successful and happy life in Higher Education and beyond.
This is a powerful quote from a student that we wanted to share. Whilst not underestimating the impact of the financial and emotional barriers, sometimes the support and the “being there” that we can provide as practitioners is the most important thing we can do to support estranged students.
Awareness and understanding are key to helping students flourish and succeed both academically and personally.
Statutory Requirements Supporting Estrangement
There doesn’t appear at the moment to be any statutory requirements for reporting estrangement or any specific help for estranged students who are over the age of 16. The definition of estrangement means there is no local authority or state support. However, there might be a team within your local authority to support these students and potentially include the care system however this would vary between each local authority.
If a student does disclose to you they are estranged, we would suggest you seek advice from your safeguarding team if you have concerns around homelessness, wellbeing issues, abuse or other safeguarding concerns.
The lack of any statutory requirement to report estrangement also adds to the complexities around understanding how many students this effects.