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Support and Wellbeing

Introduction

Oxford Business College (OBC) is committed to fostering an inclusive, supportive, and engaging environment for its students. The Student Services department at OBC plays a critical role in this mission, acting as the first contact for many student needs and ensuring students have access to the necessary resources for personal and academic success. Our aim is to ensure that students have access to a support ecosystem of high quality and consistent support that meets their needs.

Our Student Services Department – known as SERVE. This stands for Support, Engagement, Retention, Voice & Employability. This name represents the key focal areas of Students journey during their time with us. This specifically covers support for students provided within the institution, its campuses and the Wellbeing Services.


Our dedicated team aligns with the College’s mission to “transform lives by empowering students to become innovative, confident business leaders,” offering a supportive environment designed for personal, academic, and professional growth. We understand the diverse needs and goals of our students and offer resources that promote individual achievement. The College is committed to helping its students’ Academic and Professional Development (APD).

Please note: the services outlined below do not override any university partnerships OBC has and their set regulations, policies and procedures that should be adhered to

Support and Wellbeing

We are dedicated to providing a personalised support system tailored to meet each student’s unique needs. Our approach includes:

Student Inclusion Plans (SIP):

Students are encouraged to approach their support and welfare officers at any time for assistance with personal or academic concerns. In partnership with Programme Coordinators, our team helps develop customised Inclusion Plans to ensure every student can thrive. These plans can range in several ways to make ‘credible’ reasonable adjustments which include, but not limited to:
  • Health conditions – short and long term
  • Learning difficulties
  • Disabilities
  • Maternity & Paternity

Regular Tutorial Meetings:

Tutorial sessions are available to provide academic guidance and ensure students are on track with their goals.

Dedicated Welfare Team:

OBC has a team of Student Support & Welfare Officers. You can also access one-to-one confidential sessions with your College Counsellor. For further details, please refer to the section under Mental Health Counselling.

Mental Health counselling

Meet your Counsellors

Lynda Plenty

Email: lynda.plenty@obc.ac.uk
Phone: 07888327649 / extension: 505

Aditi Ratra

Email: aditi.ratra@obc.ac.uk
Phone: 07888327649 / extension: 676

How to Book a Session

Mental health is essential to overall wellbeing, as it affects how we think, feel, and handle daily stress. Good mental health enables us to build positive relationships, maintain productivity, and cope with life’s challenges more effectively.

At OBC, we offer free, confidential counselling sessions with qualified professionals to support your mental and emotional well-being. Counselling provides a safe and non-judgmental space to discuss anything on your mind. Our counsellors can help with a wide range of concerns, including anxiety, depression, adjusting to university life, relationship issues, and more.

Why Is Mental Health Important?

To book a counselling session, please complete the counselling form. Once submitted, our team will contact you to arrange a convenient time for your appointment.

Need Emergency Support?  

Remember, you are never alone. Your friends, family, classmates, tutors, and colleagues are there to support you. We are all in this together.


If you or the person you are concerned about require immediate support for mental or physical health issues, please use the services below:

Consult your GP
Ambulance – telephone 999 or 112
For 24/7 mental health support, call Samaritans free on 116 123 or email
jo@samaritans.org.

Personal Academic Tutoring (PAT)

The PAT system operates in alignment with OBC’s Personal Academic Tutoring Policy, ensuring a consistent approach across all programmes. However, subject to the specific programme and awarding partner, OBC adapts and aligns its PAT activities in accordance with the respective awarding partner (i.e., University) policies and procedures where relevant. This ensures that the support provided is tailored to meet both OBC’s standards and the requirements of the partner universities, offering comprehensive and consistent guidance to students across different academic frameworks.

The PAT system is designed to provide academic and pastoral support to students, enhancing their learning experience and personal development.

Each student is assigned a Personal Academic Tutor who serves as their first point of contact for academic guidance and personal development. Tutors work alongside the Student Services team to identify and address any challenges that may impact on a student’s academic performance or wellbeing. This integrated support system allows for timely interventions, ensuring that students receive the appropriate resources and assistance, whether through academic advising, the development of study skills, or referrals to specialised services.

The benefits of the PAT system are numerous, as illustrated in Figure 1.

This visual highlight the key advantages of having a dedicated Personal Academic Tutor, including enhanced academic support, personalised feedback, and improved student engagement. By fostering a close relationship between students, tutors, and support services, the PAT system plays a critical role in helping students achieve their full potential. Student Support officers would also be brought into any regular meetings scheduled via the PAT system, as appropriately required.

For further information about the PAT system, please refer to Personal Academic Tutoring (PAT) Handbook
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Academic & Study Skills

How we help you

We welcome students from diverse backgrounds, including individuals from varying experiences and individual requirements for developing their study and academic skills. Our Academic & Study Skills Services are accessible in a variety of ways, this includes classroom support, 1:1 sessions, workshops and webinars, a vast library of digital resources as well as physical resources.

To receive individualised support, in addition to the mandatory three sessions students can access with their Personal Academic Tutor (PAT), they can arrange to have ‘unlimited’ 1:1 session in addition as appropriately required and within sensible reasons of approval with their PAT.

Our qualified team of academics utilise content shown to students cleverly during sessions and appropriate seminars. Students can request guidance on specific academic skills such as referencing or note-taking through their Personal Academic Tutor (PAT). 

The college provides extensive guidance and support resources to help you succeed academically and personally. Each campus features well-equipped libraries and IT labs to facilitate research, study, and technical skills.  
 
Additionally, our digital knowledge bank offers a variety of resources, including recorded guest lectures, tutorials on academic skills, and a collection of informative articles covering topics relevant to your course. These resources are designed to enrich your learning experience, support your studies, and help you build confidence in your academic and professional skills. For additional support, you can also contact your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) who is available to assist you with academic and personal challenges, helping you make the most of your time at the college.  

Additionally, our digital knowledge bank offers a variety of resources, including recorded guest lectures, tutorials on academic skills, and a collection of informative articles covering topics relevant to your course. These resources are designed to enrich your learning experience, support your studies, and help you build confidence in your academic and professional skills. For additional support, you can also contact your Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) who is available to assist you with academic and personal challenges, helping you make the most of your time at the college.

Career360 (Careers Platform)

Welcome to the Career and Employability Service, where we provide a range of services, guidance, and resources to support you on your career journey. Whether you’re choosing a career path, preparing for interviews and psychometric tests, or seeking mentorship, our team is here to help.
Visit

SAFEGUARDING & PREVENT

Prevent is about safeguarding and supporting those vulnerable to radicalisation. It also aims to protect people from a range of other harms such as substance abuse, involvement in gangs and physical and sexual exploitation. Please contact the Prevent Lead if you feel this could be a concern in the college. Alternatively, you can also Report a concern by filling out the following form:
Report a Concern

Support & Report

Oxford Business College is dedicated to creating a safe and supportive environment for all students and staff. While we strive to make our campuses inclusive and welcoming spaces, we understand that issues may arise within any community. The College has zero tolerance for bullying, harassment, victimization, hate, or sexual misconduct on campus.
If you or someone you know has experienced or witnessed any such behavior, you can report a concern by one of the following:
  • By Telephone – +44 333 242 0003
  • By Email - Prevent@obc.ac.uk
  • Report a concern via form
Filling this form does not constitute a formal complaint; rather it connects
you with student support services to help you decide on the next steps.

Welfare - Local Community and Referral Directory (LCAD)

Oxford Business College aims to ensure students are signposted appropriately to local communities and referral organisations to access support required in relation to their requirements.

We have compiled a list of contact information locally available within proximity of our campuses these are charities and not-for-profit organisations, information may include assessment centres for disabilities, NHS clinics, pharmacies, children services etc.

To access LCAD relevant to your campus of study, please click
the appropriate campus name below:

Head Office (Oxford)
Head Office (Oxford)
London Campus
London Campus
Slough Campus
Slough Campus
Brentford London Campus
Brentford London Campus (Opening Soon)
Oxford Campus
Oxford Campus
Nottingham Campus
Nottingham Campus

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