Useful information for parents, guardians and carers

If you’re a parent, guardian or carer of a young person signing up to our Sussex Inspires programme, find out more information here.

Programme information

The programme is aimed at all students who are currently in Year 12 or their first year of college. Participants accepted onto the Sussex Inspires programme will have access to:

• support, guidance, and experiences to help them navigate their post-16 education options, aiding them to make informed decisions about their futures
• relevant information, advice and guidance to support their university application
• opportunities to learn about subjects studied at University
• live chats with our current University of Sussex Student ambassadors to gain an insight into University life.
• a Study and See event to experience a range of subjects in a themed subject strand of their choice
• a Careers event to understand opportunities available after post-16 education
• a Find your future event to support with personal statement planning and student finance

• a Summer Programme including a residential, staying on campus to gain an insight into student university life
• a Contextual offer from the University of Sussex.

Your young person will be contacted about the outcome of their application detailing which activities they are eligible for and how to book their place.

In-person events

• all on-campus activities will be supervised and monitored by a member of the Sussex Inspires programme team
• we have ambassadors and staff on hand to support arrivals by train, bus and car
• all ambassadors and Sussex Inspires programme team are DBS checked
• travel and lunch are provided for all participants
• a health and safety briefing will take place at the start of each day
• Covid or other related measures will be in place to comply with current regulations
• your young person will need to inform their college or sixth for about their reason for absence
• for any on-campus activity there is a contact number you can phone at any time: 07827 663401
• we will be in touch with your young person's emergency contacts in the event of an emergency
• we will collect any medical and dietary information for your young person when they book an event.

Online events

The Sussex Inspires programme has currently paused all live online sessions. However if we do resume live online events, the following measures will be in place:

• live online activities that we offer will be hosted on platforms that are safe to use and age appropriate for the students engaging in the activities.
• all session will be supported, monitored or moderated by a trained member of our staff
• the Sussex Inspires programme team only use university work accounts (not personal accounts) to access the platform.
• all staff and student ambassadors have completed an Enhanced DBS Check.
• all students participating in the Sussex Access programme have to agree to a Code of Conduct form to safeguard all users

Useful links

National Online Safety offers useful guides for parents and carers who want to know more about specific, apps, games or streaming services.

Childnet International aims to make the internet a safer place for children and young people by providing resources, support and education about services available online. The Childnet website has information on the sites and services that children like to use, plus information about mobiles, gaming, downloading and social networking.