Pastoral Care

How can Pastoral Care support me?

While attending SERC, issues such as health concerns, caring responsibilities, relationship issues, financial worries, family problems or housing issues might arise that could affect your ability to study. To help you through situations like these the College has established a range of support services and activities. Many of these are provided by specialist staff within SERC while others are provided by SERCs external partners. These include:

• You will have a Personal Tutor who you can talk to for advice and support in relation to any concerns or worries and who will signpost you to other support services as appropriate. Personal Tutors will engage with parents and carers if necessary.
• Case Conferences take place bi-monthly to monitor student progress and identify anyone who may be falling behind and who might need some additional help or support. If necessary, a plan is then put in place to assist them to get caught up.
• If you experience a disability, learning difficulty or long-term medical condition the Learning Support Team will ensure that appropriate additional support arrangements including examination access arrangements are in place to help you.
• In conjunction with the SERC Student Union the College has developed an annual programme of events which are detailed in the Wellbeing and Resilience Framework. These include social and health related events, talks and workshops led by specialist external organisations as well as some social activities to allow you meet people from other courses.
• Our Cause for Concern system means that any member of staff can quickly raise a concern regarding the wellbeing of a student at any time. Such concerns may relate to a wide range of issues including health and mental health issues, financial worries, homelessness, caring responsibilities or family issues. When such a concern is raised one of the Pastoral Care Managers will review the situation and arrange appropriate actions in a supportive and empathetic manner.
• Student Finance We have Advisors on hand to offer individual help and guidance on the sources of financial support available to assist students during their studies.
• In partnership with the South Eastern Health and Social Care Trust there is a qualified nurse available to support students with health-related issues including general health, mental health, diet, exercise, smoking and sexual health issues. This confidential, non-judgemental service is known as the Youth Health Advice Service and you can get in touch by email YHAS@setrust.hscni.net or by phoning 07753 310352.
• The College works in partnership with Inspire Students who provide a 24/7 helpline (0800 098 8816) for all students as well as a face-to-face Counselling Service.