From your first day at College you will be assigned a Study Programme Tutor (SPT) with whom you will have weekly group sessions. You can talk to them, or another teacher, about any worries or concerns you may have. The College also has a team of Personal Development and Wellbeing Mentors (PDWMs) who are available to offer additional practical support and advice. Please note that PDWMs are not counsellors or therapists.

Students can be referred to a PDWM in their curriculum area by their SPT or subject tutors. Students can also make a self-referral by going to the Wellbeing office at their campus and speaking with a member of the team. PDWMs may offer any combination of the following services through one-to-one, thirty minute sessions:

Examples of situations PDWTs can support with:

• Mental health issues including severe anxiety and depression.
• Personal problems including drug, alcohol and gambling addictions.
• Support for trans or gender questioning students.
• Relationship difficulties including students who are at risk of homelessness.
• Any situation where students feel that they are not safe and need help.
• Overcoming barriers to learning.
• Support for students who may feel anxious about starting college, otherwise known as transition support.

Listening Service

Tutors are on hand to listen as you talk through any difficulties that you are experiencing. Tutors can support you to explore and develop strategies for managing these challenges.

Signposting Service

Tutors can point you in the right direction of specialist external support services, including charities, organisations, helplines, groups and societies, and resource websites, who can offer more targeted help.

Advocacy

Tutors can support you in communicating with the college and external agencies. They can accompany you to class or in-college meetings. With your consent, they can liaise with tutors and other stakeholders on your behalf.

Study Skills (Lewes/Newhaven only)

Our designated Study Skills Tutor can support students with the transition to college courses, particularly with the demands of A-Levels. They can help with developing revision strategies, time management, exam techniques, essay writing, study plans, essay writing, and studying with neurodiversity.

LOOKED AFTER CHILDREN

If you are a Looked After Child (LAC) you will have access to 1:1 support from one of our Safeguarding Managers. Your allocated staff member will act as an advocate for you with any issues you may encounter on your course and will attend meetings with external services around how you are getting on at College.