Support & Advice | Forth Valley College

We have dedicated teams in place to help you at all points in your college journey - from choosing the right course to applying to university or looking for a job.

All you need to do is ask.

Learning Support

The Learning Support Team is available to help students with additional learning needs and those who need additional support due to health issues or a disability.

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Student Finance

Whatever your financial situation it's important to know about the different types of funding support available to you whilst studying at college.

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Learner Advisers

Our Learner Advisory Team can help with lots of important decisions throughout your time at College, such as course choices, progressing to University and Career Advice.

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Qualifications Explained

Check out our Qualifications Explained guide to help you pick the right level of course to suit you.

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Progressing from College to University

Thinking of your next steps after college? Find out more about our articulation links.

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Sometimes life can be overwhelming, and we just need that little bit of support.

Are you having problems sleeping at night?
Are Financial matters getting you down?
Do you feel sad or lonely?
Is your fear or anger getting out of control?
Do you feel sad or overwhelmed with grief?
Do you have support and still feel alone?
Do you feel like quitting your studies?

Forth Valley College Counselling and Well-being Support Service is available for learners who need someone impartial to talk to about your mental and emotional needs.

If you feel you would benefit from Counselling and Well-being support, please email counselling@forthvalley.ac.uk

Our service is available on all campuses.

Togetherall

Forth Valley College students also get free access to the online mental health community – Togetherall.

Togetherall is a safe and confidential online platform, accessible 24/7 where you can explore mental health resources and speak to others in the online community. There are also trained practitioners on hand at all times to oversee the forum.

Students can sign up to the platform using their college email address here.

Here at Forth Valley College, the term “care experienced” refers to anyone who has been in care. This care may have been provided in many different settings, such as:

Formal kinship care – living with a relative who is not your mum or dad with social services involvement.
Informal kinship care – living with a relative who is not your mum or dad without social services involvement.
Looked after at home – with the help of social work.
Residential care – living in a residential unit or school.
Foster care – living with foster carers.
Secure care – living in a secure unit.
Adoption

Forth Valley College wants all Care Experienced students, to be successful during their time studying here. We want everyone to gain a place on an appropriate course, learn new skills, gain qualifications, and progress into a positive destination whether that be further education, higher education, training or employment.

Available Support

Applicants are strongly encouraged to indicate they have been in care via their college online application. This information will allow the Student Services team to contact applicants and ensure they are aware of the wide range of support available pre-entry and on-course.

The support offered is wide and varied and depends on each individual student and what is right for them, but broadly includes:

Priority processing for funding
Pre-application help
Guaranteed interview if entry requirements met
Dedicated Learner Adviser - As soon as you accept your offer, you will be contacted by a dedicated Learner Adviser who will be your names contact throughout your time at college.
Additional financial advice and support
Care Experienced Student Bursary (eligibility criteria apply)

For students aged 15 to 26, the Time4Me mentoring programme is available to support a small number of students per year. Mentors help the mentees with goal setting, problem solving, resilience and communication. The young people taking part will gain confidence and develop skills which will help them with their studies, career and life goals.

Places are limited, so if you think having a Mentor could help you settle into life at Forth Valley College, please speak to your teacher, Learning Development Facilitator, or a staff member from the Carers Service in the first instance.

If you require further information, please contact the team at time4me@forthvalley.ac.uk

Students experiencing issues or a change in circumstances which may impact on their learning can access help from the College's Learner Advisers.

Click here and log in to Moodle to complete a change of circumstances/crisis form. A Learner Adviser will then be in touch to discuss support available.

Individual Training Account

SAAS - Student Awards Agency for Scotland

UCAS

Scottish Qualifications Authority

Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework

World of Work