The Frank Buttle Trust Quality Mark for Care Leavers in Higher Education
The Frank Buttle Trust has created a Quality Mark which recognises institutions who go that extra mile to support students who have been in public care. Bill Rammell, Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, launched the Quality Mark at a reception hosted by Lord Dearing in the House of Lords on Wednesday, 14th June 2006.

“ The Quality Mark is a great step forward. Not only does it show care leavers that higher education providers are committed to helping them overcome the challenges they face, it ensures that care leavers have the same educational opportunities as other young people.”

Bill Rammell

Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning

Lord Dearing and Bill Rammell, Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning

Lord Dearing read out a message from Hilary Armstrong, Minister for the Cabinet Office and Social Exclusion:

“ I'm really pleased to support The Frank Buttle Trust in launching their Quality Mark for care leavers in higher education. It is critical that we support looked after young people to fulfil their potential and achieve their goals. The Quality Mark is a crucial step towards encouraging aspiration and providing opportunity for those who have been all too readily written off, and I wish it every success.”

Hilary Armstrong

Minister for the Cabinet Office and Social Exclusion

At the launch, the award of the Quality Mark to the following universities was announced:
  • Edge Hill University
  • Kingston University
  • Sheffield Hallam University
  • University of Bradford
  • University of Leeds
  • University of Southampton

Representatives from Universities awarded the Quality Mark

Since the launch, the following universities have been awarded the Quality Mark:
  • De Montfort University
  • North East Wales Institute of Higher Education (NEWI)
  • Bangor University
  • London South Bank University
  • Carmarthenshire College
  • Brighton University
  • Newcastle University
  • University of Edinburgh
  • University of Greenwich
  • University of Chichester
  • Bishop Grosseteste University College Lincoln
  • University of Surrey
  • Leeds Metropolitan University
  • University of Lincoln
  • University of Westminster
  • University of Oxford
  • Nottingham Trent University
  • Glasgow Caledonian University
  • Cardiff University
  • University of Sussex
  • Staffordshire University
  • The University of Winchester
  • University of Bedfordshire
  • University of Leicester
  • University of Huddersfield
  • Loughborough University
  • University of Abertay
  • University of Liverpool
  • University of Glasgow
  • University of Teesside
  • York St John University
  • University of Sheffield
  • University of Strathclyde
  • University of Sunderland
  • The Manchester Metropolitan University
  • Swansea University
  • University of Northumbria at Newcastle
  • Aberystwyth University

“ I am delighted that the Minister has launched the Quality Mark for Care Leavers in Higher Education, and greatly appreciate the support and enthusiasm we have had in developing the Higher Education Commitment to Care Leavers, from universities and other higher education providers and professional organisations.”

Gerri McAndrew

Chief Executive, The Frank Buttle Trust

Graduate Care Leavers at the Launch

Quality Mark Launched in Wales!
The Quality Mark was launched in Wales in November 2006. The event was coordinated and funded by HEFCW and the Welsh Assembly. Jane Davidson, the Welsh Assembly Government Minister for Education and Lifelong Learning, who spoke at the launch, put the higher education institutions in Wales "on notice", with the expectation that all institutions would have been awarded the Quality Mark by the end of 2007.
Quality Mark Launched in Scotland!
Children and Early Years Minister Adam Ingram launched The Frank Buttle Trust Quality Mark in Scotland on 25th September 2007. The Quality Mark was awarded to:
  • University of Abertay
  • University of Glasgow
  • University of Strathclyde
Children and Early Years Minister Adam Ingram