Family

Resources for family-related questions and issues

Children //

Can I bring my child with me to campus?

You can't bring your children to classes but Keele Day Nursery is an on-campus childcare facility and has 128 places for children from ages 3 months to 5 years.

If you're considering living on campus, unfortunately Keele only has a couple of flats available for students with children and these are only suitable for parents with one child.

How do I find schools in the Keele area?

Staffordshire County Council can help you to find a school in the local area and their website provides a list of local schools with Ofsted reports. You can use your postcode to find local schools and schools in your catchment area; if you do not have or know your postcode you can use the Keele SU postcode, which is 'ST5 5BJ'.

If you live in Cheshire East, you can find a map of local schools and links to their information on the Cheshire East Council website.

You can learn more about enrolling your child in school by visiting Gov.uk.

Is there any financial support available for students with children?

There are some benefits and grants you may be entitled to - you can visit our 'Parents' page in the Money section for information about these.

How do I register a birth?

You must register the birth within 42 days of the child being born. You can do this at the local register office for the area where the baby was born, or you may be able to do this while still in hospital if your hospital provides for this.

The Government has a guide to registering a birth on their website.

Student Carers //

Is there support available at Keele?

There is specialised support available from Student Services, the University's website has information about the support they can provide as well as information about finances and help organisations.

Is there anywhere else I can go to for support?

You can contact the social services department of your local authority for support. Anyone who 'regularly provides a substantial amount of care' is entitled to an assessment of their needs to help you access the support you need to care for your own wellbeing as well as your dependant.

Carers' Centres provide range of support services including advice and emotional support. You can find information about local services by searching the Carers Trust website for using your postcode.

Hope Support Services is an organisation that supports young people aged 5 to 25 when a close family member is diagnosed with a life-threatening illness. They have also written a guide for coping with university life through a family health crisis.

Is there any financial support available?

If you are a part-time student and you spend at least 35 hours a week looking after a disabled person you may qualify for Carer’s Allowance. Unfortunately this is not available for full-time students. Citizens Advice has more information about Carer's Allowance.

You may also qualify for the carer element of Universal Credit.

If you get Student Finance you can apply for the Adult Dependants' Grant if you are a full-time student and you have an adult who depends on you financially. Information about the Adult Dependants' Grant is on the Gov.uk website.

Is there anywhere I can go to for mental health support?

The University has a free counselling service. You can visit the Counselling webpage for information about their service, how to contact them, and for some great self-help resources.

Keele students can also access the Spectrum.Life Student Assistance Programme (SAP). This service offers students access to support via a 24 hour confidential helpline. The services include mental health support from trained counsellors and advisors who are ready to listen and provide help on issues including stress and anxiety, counselling, low mood, family issues, bereavement, financial wellbeing, childcare support, relationship advice, domestic abuse, legal information, medical information, tenancy and housing concerns, alcohol and drug issues, and consumer issues. More information about Spectrum.Life is on the Keele website.

You can also talk to your GP to discuss support, which could include accessing NHS mental health services or trying medication.

Our Mental Health page has links to a number of support services you can contact, including Samaritans.

Relationships //

What are our legal rights as a couple?

Your rights will depend on your status as a couple. Citizens Advice has a page explaining the legal differences between living together and marriage and living together and civil partnerships.

Where can I find advice about getting married / entering into a civil partnership?

Citizens Advice has a guide to the practical aspects of getting married or registering a civil partnership, including whether it is legal, financial agreements, where you can get married, and how to register.

What do I need to consider when ending a relationship?

When you separate from your partner, you may have a number of practical issues to work out, including:

Where you are going to live and what happens to your home.
Arrangements for any children.
How your finances will change.

If you’re in the UK as a dependent on your partner’s visa, you’ll also need to check if you can stay in the UK on a visa after separation or a divorce.

Citizen's Advice has advice to help you decide what to do. They also have a page about mediation.

Where can I find information about divorce?

Citizens Advice has a comprehensive guide to divorce, including links to finding a solicitor and court costs.

Where can I get support for domestic abuse?

Please visit our Sexual & Domestic Violence page for information about university support, national and local support services, and emergency accommodation.

Death and Wills //

How do I make a will and what happens if someone dies without one?

When someone dies without a valid will, their property will be distributed according to intestacy rules. These rules will favour spouses and civil partners, then children, then parents, then siblings (or a deceased sibling's children). If you are in a relationship but you aren't married or in a civil partnership, your partner cannot inherit under these rules. You can visit Citizens Advice for more guidance on intestacy.

There are a number of websites that provide advice on will writing. Some organisations also provide templates for wills, and you can purchase will kits online and in shops. You can make a will on your own but if your situation is complex, consider speaking to a solicitor to avoid any mistakes and discover your options. Citizens Advice has an overview on wills and how to write them, to help you get started.

What arrangements do I need to make when someone close to me dies?

You can visit the following pages for practical guidance on what arrangements need to be made and how to go about them:

The Government website has a step-by-step guide.

Bereavement Advice has a wealth of information and a checklist.

What to do after a death (Citizens Advice)

Dealing with the financial affairs of someone who has died (Citizens Advice)

Arranging a funeral (Citizens Advice)

Is there any mental health support for bereavement?

Cruse Bereavement Support has a helpline and chat, which you can contact for free, and they have local services with support groups.

At a Loss provides access to a bereavement counsellor via a livechat.

The Dove Service is a local organisation based in Hanley.

You can also access more generalised support on campus for your mental health. The University has a free counselling service on campus, which is still operating remotely. You can visit the Counselling webpage for information about their service, how to contact them, and for some great self-help resources.