Although higher education for 50% of all school leavers by 2010 is the stated aim of the United Kingdom government, it is clear that initiatives aimed at widening access do not reach those most in need. This is nowhere more true than in the case of people who have spent all or part of their childhood in the care of local authorities, and who appear to be the most excluded category of all. This applies to further education too. For professionals concerned with facilitating wider access to higher education, this problem should present a challenge. However, taking on that challenge is not without difficulties. Obtaining access to these excluded people is often not easy, as they leave care and lose touch with their former carers almost always. Once contact has been established it is important for professionals to be aware of the range of possible risk factors which have affected the person before he or she was placed in care, during time in care, and after leaving care. This article discusses the effects of a range of risk factors applying to two groups of participants in a wider study, and seeks to identify protective factors that mediate the risk factors, thereby leading to resilience and academic success. (Contains 8 tables.)