Under the Radar: Service Children and Higher Education in England Report
This report addresses a significant gap in the sector’s understanding of Service children and higher education in England examining the present situation in terms of policy, practice and evidence where access to higher education for Service children in England is concerned.
It focuses especially, on the decision by the Office for Students not to include Service children in the first iteration of its Equal Opportunities Risk Register (EORR) launched last year arguing that this decision poses a threat to widening access work with Service Children and the activities of many NEON members. The report includes a series of recommendations directly relevant to the practice of NEON members including asking the Office for Students to include Service Children in the EORR. It also includes examples of leading practice in widening access work with Service children from higher education providers and Uni-Connect partnerships.
Abstract: The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides health care to veterans for mental health conditions, such as depression and substance use disorders. VA data showed that the percentage of student veterans who received mental health care at VA facilities increased from fiscal years 2017 through 2022, and at a higher rate than that of the total veteran population. (See figure.) VA data show student veterans were primarily treated for depression-related disorders, post-traumatic stress disorder, and anxiety-related disorders. VA officials said younger veterans typically seek mental health care more than older veterans, and most student veterans are younger than age 34. Further, the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated mental health conditions for the general population, including for veterans.