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<p>Everyone with the talent and potential to succeed in higher education (HE) should
be able to access it, regardless of their background. The government is absolutely
committed to widening access for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. We recognise
that the barriers to access and success can be particularly high for some groups including
students estranged from their families.</p><p> </p><p>However, government plays no
direct role in the provision of student residential accommodation, nor does it specifically
fund universities to provide such accommodation. As such, it is for HE providers to
consider how they can best support all their students with their accommodation needs,
including estranged students.</p><p> </p><p>The Office for Students (OfS), the regulator
for HE in England, encourages HE providers to sign the ‘Stand Alone Pledge’ and to
consider a range of options around accommodation, including offering 365 day options
to estranged students, or developing a summer accommodation bursary to act as a buffer
for estranged students during the summer months. The government supports the OfS on
this approach.</p>
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