1. What Is Pastoral Care?
Pastoral care at ROC is all about your wellbeing. It means making sure you feel safe, supported, and able to enjoy your time at college.
We know that learning is easier when you feel happy, calm, and confident. If something is worrying you or affecting how you feel, the pastoral team is here to help.
2. What the Pastoral Team Can Help With
The pastoral team can support you with things such as:
- Feeling worried, upset, or overwhelmed
- Friendships and social situations
- Managing emotions and behaviour
- Confidence and self-esteem
- Changes at home or in your life
- Feeling safe at college
You do not need to be in crisis to ask for help. Small worries matter too.
3. How to Access Pastoral Support
You can access pastoral support at any time during the college day.
- You can ask for a check-in or check-out with a pastoral staff member
- A pastoral staff member may also offer you support if they think it would help
- You can speak to any member of staff, and they can help you find the right support
You will always be listened to and taken seriously.
4. Who the Pastoral Team Are
- Each pastoral staff member supports a specific pathway during registration
- All pastoral staff are available to support any student
- You will get to know the pastoral team and build positive relationships with them
The pastoral team works closely with teachers, therapists and support staff to make sure you get the help you need.
5. Check-Ins and Check-Outs
Check-ins and check-outs are short meetings where you can:
- Talk about how you are feeling
- Plan your day or reflect on how it went
- Get support with emotions or worries
These are recorded on the college system so staff can support you consistently.
6. Support Tools and Resources
The pastoral team may support you using:
- Regulation cards and emotional strategies
- Sensory tools and calming exercises
- Personalised support activities
- Holiday wellbeing packs for longer breaks
- Information about staying safe and who to contact for help
Everything is tailored to you and what helps you best.
7. Understanding Your Feelings
Each term (and when you join college), you will complete a 4-point scale. This helps you:
- Understand how different things make you feel
- Learn about your emotions and reactions
- Work with staff to set wellbeing goals
This helps us support you in the best way possible.
8. Extra Support and Referrals
Sometimes extra support may be helpful.
- You may be offered support from a counsellor or outside service
- You can self-refer for support with help from the pastoral manager
- Any referrals are made with your wellbeing in mind
We will always explain what is happening and support you through the process.
9. Learning Independence
The pastoral team will help you learn how to:
- Manage your emotions
- Use calming strategies on your own
- Build confidence and resilience
Our aim is to help you develop skills you can use at college and in everyday life.
10. Your Rights and Responsibilities
You have the right to:
- Feel safe and supported
- Be listened to and respected
- Ask for help when you need it
You are encouraged to:
- Talk to staff if something is worrying you
- Try strategies that help your wellbeing
- Support others by being kind and respectful
11. Confidentiality and Sharing Information
- Staff may record concerns to help keep you safe
- Information is only shared with staff who need to know
- If there is a safety concern, staff must act to protect you
Your wellbeing always comes first.
12. Remember
You are not alone.
There is always someone at ROC who will listen and help.
If you are unsure who to speak to, any member of staff can help you find support.