Student Support

The Learner Support Fund
Bus Pass Scheme
Discretionary Award Policy
Part Time Student Assistance
The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
Careers and Course Advice
Chaplaincy
Earn While You Learn - FE Bursary Scheme

Useful information and assistance

The Learner Support Fund (LSF) is available to help students who are finding it difficult to start or continue their study through financial hardship

FULL TIME students

• Chelmsford College travel scheme uses First Essex Buses Ltd commercial service routes, some subsidised Essex County Council local services and selected National Railway routes. For more information email sterryl@chelmsford-college.ac.uk or telephone 01245 265611 ext 3404.

• Parking on the college sites is very restricted but the Park and Ride facility is now operational, currently offering reasonable return fares into town. For further details contact Essex County Council on 08457 430 430 or visit the website www.essexcc.gov.uk
• Should you be completing year 11 you may be eligible for an Education Maintenance Allowance. For more information or an EMA application pack please contact the EMA helpline on 0800 121 8989 or visit the website http://www.direct.gov.uk
• Over 19, studying for your first full level 2 or level 3 qualification and receiving a low income, you may be eligible to receive an Adult Learning Grant (ALG). For more information please visit www.direct.gov.uk or contact 0800 121 8989.
• Not eligible for an EMA or ALG but in receipt of relevant benefits/low income, a Learner Support Fund Discretionary Award may be available. For further details contact 01245 265611 ext 3404 or email to sterryl@chelmsford-college.ac.uk Application forms will be available at enrolment.

PART TIME students

Help may be available toward tuition fees, examination/registration fees, compulsory course costs and childcare. For more information please see the Part Time LSF policy.

For further information please contact Lynne Sterry at sterryl@chelmsford-college.ac.uk or telephone 01245 265611 ext 3404.

CHILDCARE

Help with childcare using a carer on the compulsory register may be available from:

• Care to Learn - if you are under 20 years at the start of your course (either full or part time). For further details contact Care to Learn on 0845 600 2809 or visit the website www.direct.gov.uk
• Free childcare for Training and Learning for Work - if you are over 20, out of work with a partner who is working 16 hours or more each week with a household income of less than £20k. For further details visit the website www.direct.gov.uk
• The Learner Support Fund – if you are over 20 years and receiving relevant benefits. Please see Full and Part-Time LSF policy.

Advice and application forms will be available at enrolment.

For further information please contact Lynne Sterry at sterryl@chelmsford-college.ac.uk or telephone 01245 265611 ext 3404.

The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)

A means tested weekly payment of up to £30, paid directly to young people who stay on in further education after they reach statutory leaving age. Payments are made depending on attendance and punctuality. Students may also receive bonus, this is related to satisfactory completion of coursework and attendance at all exams. www.direct.gov.uk for more details.

The Cause for Concern System

The Cause for Concern System is in place to identify students that are in danger of underachieving or losing their place in the College due to poor attendance, inappropriate behaviour or non production of work. Student Support Workers are attached to this system to advise, guide and support students to help them achieve their full potential.

Students can refer themselves to the Student Support Workers for one to one meetings to discuss problems or emotional issues. Outside counselling can be arranged where necessary.

Careers and Course Advice

The Course and Careers Advice Service at Chelmsford College is there to guide you through the maze of decisions you need to make about course choice, career options, further study and Higher Education. We offer guidance on the most appropriate course given your career ideas, academic achievement and general interests.

Once you start your course the service can continue to support you through individual interviews, group talks and providing you with relevant information. We can help you with job applications, C.V. writing, job hunting skills, applications to university and further study. If you are undecided upon a career aim the Careers Adviser can help you to generate ideas through a careers guidance interview and/or directing you to useful sources of information.

Careers resources are available in the Careers and Course Information Centre and the Learning Resources Centres covering job information, university prospectuses, reference books and advice leaflets. An interactive computer package is also available to help you generate career ideas.

We are supported by the Connexions Service who work with young people up to the age of 19 (and older for some young people with learning difficulties or disabilities.) Our link Personal Adviser Barbara Clyde is based in the college on Monday, Thursday and Friday mornings. Connexions can offer impartial advice on careers and personal issues such as leisure, health, money and housing. Interviews to see Lee can be booked through the information Centre. Alternatively, you can visit the Chelmsford Connexions Centre in Moulsham Street, e-mail clydeb@chelmsford-college.ac.uk.

If you feel you would like to talk about your options at Chelmsford College before making a final decision tick the box on your application form or contact our Careers Advisers:

Careers & Course Information Centre 01245 265 611 Ext: 3008

Information Centre on 01245 293009 (16-19 year olds) information@chelmsford-college.ac.uk

Adult Guidance Worker Steve Harrod 01245 265611 ext. 3413 (20 yrs plus) harrods@chelmsford-college.ac.uk

Chaplaincy

The Chaplaincy is based at the Moulsham Street Campus but exists for the support of ALL those at all college campuses as communities of learning, in which faith, social justice and personal well-being are valued and nurtured. The Chaplaincy seeks to be open to all, regardless of faith, gender, race, impairment or sexuality, to create an accepting environment and to maintain appropriate confidentiality.

The Chaplaincy is made up of a team of volunteers working under the direction of a chaplaincy co-ordinator and Student Support Team Leader and is both ecumenical and multi-faith, both in principle and practice. The Chaplaincy strives to work in partnership with the college and faith communities, to meet the needs of students and staff of all faiths and none. The chaplains are available mostly by appointment through the Student Support Office ext.3317

The Chaplaincy also contributes to College life by working alongside the Student Union in promoting Charity Events, highlighting main religious festivals and social and moral issues and providing input into the students’ enrichment programme.

Chelmsford Borough Council working in partnership with NHS Mid Essex has produced a downloadable Faith Calendar, which can be found on their website at www.chelmsford.gov.uk.

Earn While You Learn - FE Bursary Scheme

Find out how you could be eligible for a £2000 Bursary, one-on-one career advice & a guaranteed job after college.