Eastern Education Group provides dedicated wraparound support to every student who steps through our doors, ensuring a positive and barrier-free learning experience.

Our student support services address a wide range of needs, empowering each learner with the tools and resources required to excel—not just during their time with us, but well into their futures.

Here are some of the support services available while studying with us.

Learning support

The Learning Support Team is committed to helping you succeed, no matter what your needs are.
You may find that the support here looks different to what you received at school, but there’s a large team of friendly staff across Eastern Education Group who will help you move on to the next stage of your education as seamlessly as possible.

Personalised support

If you’ve had learning support before or need extra help at any time, we’ll work with you to understand what support you need. We’ll then create a plan to help you overcome any challenges you might face in your studies. You will have a profile shared with teaching staff to help them understand the best way for you to learn.

Study strategies and tools

We’ll find the right strategies and tools that work for you, whether it’s extra support for assignments, coloured paper, or larger font for accessibility. It’s important to share information with us so that we can put the right support in place.

Wellbeing

We know that it’s important to support your wellbeing as well as your college work. We work closely with the Personal Progress Tutors (PPT) and Student Welfare Officers so you’re not just supported academically, but emotionally too.

Accessibility

Our campuses are designed to be inclusive, with quiet spaces and lunch clubs to make your learning experience as comfortable as possible. There are also physical supports, such as ramps and lifts to accommodate student needs. The ground steps are marked for easy recognition.

Inclusive Learning Team

In the Learning Lounge, our Inclusive Learning Mentors are available to help you stay on track, manage your workload, and help to get through any tough times during your studies. In some classes, an Inclusive Learning Assistant will be in place to provide support.

Personal Progress Tutors (PPTs) 

Every curriculum area across each college is allocated a Personal Progress Tutor, who will be there to support students with anything that may be hindering their education. PPTs can support students with low-level welfare issues, queries around getting to college, concerns about academic work and general concerns about life outside of college. They will also support with planning next steps and progression after college. The PPT is also the main point of contact for parents and carers, and they will typically be introduced during the student’s parent induction evening.  

The student welfare team  

Each college has a welfare team which consists of a Senior Welfare Officer, Chaplain and Counsellor. These dedicated professionals are on hand to guide you through any problems you may be facing that are non-academic. This could include:

• Personal issues
• Health issues
• Sexual health issues
• Drugs and alcohol support
• Advocacy
• Relationships
• Counselling
• Benefit advice
• Money advice
• Any safeguarding issues
• Access to free sanitary products
• Access to free contraception is available
• Food banks – if you do not have enough food at home or are worrying about the amount you have, please see the Student Welfare reception team and enquire about a food parcel.

The welfare team is on hand for anything you may need help with; you can drop in any time or make an appointment for a time that suits you.

Financial support 

If you are concerned that money could be a problem and may prevent you or your child from taking a course at college, then help may be available. Generally, if your household income is less than £26,000 per year, funding is available to help with the cost of transport, books, equipment, uniform and childcare. Funding may also be available towards the cost of course fees (if applicable).
 

All students can apply for help with the cost of transport and the resources they may need for their studies. Additionally, students aged 20 or over may also be able to apply for help with the cost of childcare. In certain circumstances, funding may be available even if your household income exceeds the threshold. This will usually depend on the number of dependent children living within the house. You can apply for financial support online under the ‘Student Welfare’ section of the college’s website. If you require help with your application, please contact the bursary administrator via email at finance.support@easterneducationgroup.ac.uk.

Support for young carers

Young adult carers are young people aged 16 to 25 who care, unpaid, for a family member or friend with an illness or disability, mental health condition, or an addiction.

We understand how difficult it can be to stay on top of college work while also juggling the responsibility of being a carer. If you’re caring for a family member, it can leave you feeling like there’s not enough time to fit everything in. If your carer responsibilities are affecting your studies, we’re there to help in partnership with Suffolk Family Carers.

Suffolk Family Carers comprises of a team of professionals who want to help you, if you are struggling to cope, or if you just need some information to help you along the way. Accessible via the Senior Welfare Officer at each college, you can make an appointment to talk through any issues you are dealing with, or drop into the lunchtime sessions Suffolk Family Carers run. 

Careers and progression

We support students at each stage of their progression and have specialist Careers Advisors who are available to talk through all options for the future. They help to advise on a wide range of progression routes, including further college courses, university, apprenticeships, gap years, and getting into work.

They offer confidential and impartial advice on a one-to-one basis to support all aspects of career planning. We also have a Progression to Higher Education Advisor who can support with the university application process.

Each college works closely in partnership with local employers, which provides students with direct access to employment opportunities in the local area.

To book a one-to-one appointment, email careers@easterneducationgroup.ac.uk, or alternatively, drop-in to speak to a Careers Advisor at. Appointments can also be booked via Personal Progress Tutors and Course Directors.