In the Buddy scheme we endeavour to match Buddies and new students within the same school. In addition to this Buddies are given the option to offer support on a range of self-lived experiences, and new students who sign up to the programme can request more personalised matching, depending on availability.
The system is voluntary and it is also possible for both Buddies and new students to choose "same school" as their only matching criteria.
The list of matching characteristics are as follows:
*The term care-experienced refers to anyone who has been or is currently in care or from a looked-after background at any stage in their life, no matter how short, including adopted children who were previously looked-after. This care may have been provided in a one of many different settings such as in residential care, foster care, kinship care, or through being looked-after at home with a supervision requirement.
**Advanced entry from college students, articulation route or students using access programs
***"A carer is anyone who cares, unpaid, for a friend or family member who due to illness, disability, a mental health problem or an addiction cannot cope without their support" More info:
About caring responsibilities
*****in relation to a disability, specific learning difference such as dyslexia, long-term health and/or mental health condition. More info: Disability Services
