test
Support For Trainees And Apprentices
Helping you succeed in the workplace
We have a team of specialist staff who have the skills and knowledge required to help you learn and work independently.
First, we’ll work with you, your assessors and your employer to understand the support you need to complete your apprenticeship by conducting and Initial Needs Assessment and relevant screener.
Our staff will then put together a plan of support that’s unique to you, to help you overcome any barriers to learning.
Heidi Milner
South West Skills Campus/Student Services
Call: 01934411750/ 07747842976
Katy Fox
South West Skills Campus/Student Services
Call: 01934411658
Email: library.plus@weston.ac.uk
Moodle: LibraryPlus/Student support/Booking Options
To book an appointment please see your campus Welfare Officer or call 01934 411 541 or 01934 411 506.
Email: apprenticeshipsupport@weston.ac.uk
Tel: 01934411180
Email: MHReferrals@weston.ac.uk
Or call: 01934 422769
Specialist support
If at any point you would like to request additional support to help you overcome any barriers you may be experiencing on your traineeship or apprenticeship programme a referral can be made to the Specialist Support Team.
Our innovative and unique specialist support model, ensures staff have the specialist skills and knowledge to deliver high quality personalised support programmes.
This may be requested due to a diagnosed learning need such as dyslexia/dyscalculia/aspergers/ADHD or an emotional/behaviour need, to meet the requirements of an Education Health Care Plan or to aid the learner with strategies and independent study skills to aid them with the completion of their chosen course.
An individual support plan will include agreed objectives, reviewed termly to check your progress and specific arrangements to help you during your apprenticeship – for instance:
- Specialist teaching in College or at your workplace
- In-class support
- Support strategies
- Specialist equipment and assistive technology
- Mentoring
- Further assessments
- Assignment and exam support
- Help with note taking
- Communication support
- Access to Weston Bay – our residential training facility for students on the autism spectrum.
Welfare, mental health and counselling
Welfare
Weston College has a team of professional experts to provide you with confidential and non-judgemental welfare and pastoral support. We are here to listen and help.
We offer advice and guidance on issues including:
- Homelessness
- Emotional health & well being
- Finance
- Course concerns
- Relationships
- Alcohol and drugs.
The service is available on a drop- in or bookable basis.
Mental health
The Mental Health Specialist Support area offers a highly specialised and supportive service for learners who have a diagnosed mental health condition, as well as support for students who do not have a diagnosis but are experiencing mental health difficulties which are having a significant impact on their daily life at College.
The Mental Health Team offers support for students experiencing:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Mood disorders
- Eating disorders
- Personality disorders
- Emotional dysregulation
- Obsessive compulsive disorder
- Psychosis.
Counselling services
Counselling offers an opportunity to talk about personal issues in a private and relaxed setting with someone who plays no other role in your life.
Counselling can help people with:
- Relationship difficulties
- Anxiety
- Stress
- Low self-esteem
- Loss
- Addictions
- Decision-making and moving on.
Healthcare, Functional Skills and library services
Healthcare
Weston College has a team of professional experts to offer support and guidance in the following areas:
- Medical healthcare plans
- First aid
- Sexual health advice
- Stop smoking support
- Healthy eating
- Weight concerns.
The service is available on a drop- in or bookable basis.
Functional skills
If you do not have your GCSE English and qualifications at grade 5/C and above, you will be required to attend English and maths lessons as part of your traineeship/apprenticeship programme.
If you have previously received English and maths one-to-one tuition or exam access arrangements such as additional time, a reader or scribe at school or college, a referral for support can be made to the Functional Skills Team.
Library services
There is a LibraryPlus team available at every College campus.
Services they offer include:
- Assignment support
- IT basics
- Accessing resources
- Advice on referencing
- Office365 training
- Equipment hire (laptops, cameras, video recorders, etc.).
Accessing support
How to get the support you need
The first step is to let our specialist support team know that you need support.
This referral can be made at various stages before your apprenticeship starts for example by your school, in your apprenticeship application, by a parent, or by you individually. In order to access support, you do not have to show a diagnosis.
Support can be accessed at any point during your course
A referral can be made:
- Pre-entry (during Collegiate Interviews)
- During Pre enrolment
- At sign up or induction days
- Tutor referrals
- Assessor referrals
- Self referrals – SMART Assessor
- Professional referrals
- On site.