Our Curriculum
Health & Wellbeing
We promote everyone's well-being, including physical, mental, and financial health. We can point you in the right direction through personal support.
Careers & Employability
Using our Careers Hub, you can explore career options, CV writing, self-employment, and job searching through resources like Pathways, Indeed, and the National Careers Service.
Support with Family and Caring Responsibilities
Parenting resources like the NSPCC offer guidance on diverse family-related challenges.
British Values
British values, including democracy, liberty, and tolerance, are central to both the curriculum and national identity.
Radicalisation, Extremism & Prevent
Extremism, harmful radical views, necessitates vigilance, intervention, and safety awareness.
Relationships
Healthy relationships are fundamental to well-being, but navigating their complexities, especially in partnerships, requires recognising the signs of both healthy and unhealthy dynamics.
Online Safety
While the internet offers vast potential, it also presents online safety risks, necessitating proactive education and resources like Internet Matters to navigate these challenges.
Support with Family and Caring Responsibilities
If you care for child or a young person, you will understand how difficult parenting can be at times, as they say, there is no manual for being a parent.
Balancing the various demands parents must cope with is not easy, and all parents can come under pressure or stress sometimes.
Barnados is a good place to find advice on all aspects of family life from keeping a child or young person safe from harm or abuse, looking after your childs health, looking after a child with special education needs and disabilities, cost of living support, links to Family Hubs, Family Centres and the Virtual Family Space.
Additionally, a confidential helpline is available: call 0808 800 2222, or email askus@familylives.org.uk.
Furthermore, the Government's website provides advice and information concerning the practical aspects of child-rearing, encompassing the financial assistance accessible to parents.
British Values
Democracy
Rule of Law
Mutual Respect and Tolerance
Individual Liberty
At the heart of our Personal Development Curriculum is an understanding of the fundamental British. These values are intrinsic to our College ethos and play a vital role in supporting a vibrant and inclusive community.
British values underpin what it means to be a citizen in a modern and diverse Britain, embodying a sense of national identity based on our shared culture, languages, and traditions. At Southport College, we strive to integrate these values into every aspect of college life, encouraging learners to engage actively with their community and develop a strong sense of belonging.
Through various college activities and events, learners have the opportunity to practice these values, building mutual respect and understanding among peers. Our commitment to these principles helps create a supportive environment where everyone can thrive and contribute positively to both the college and the wider community.
British Values: What are they?
In Britain we have a set of values we hope to be shared by all, that guide us to being a nation where everyone feels safe, valued and free to be themselves. So, what are they are what do they mean?
Democracy
Democracy is a cornerstone of British values, reflecting the nation's commitment to ensuring that power resides with the people. In the United Kingdom, democracy manifests through a parliamentary system where citizens elect representatives to make decisions on their behalf. This system promotes fairness, accountability, and transparency. Some examples in daily life include;
- Leadership and accountability
- Joint decision making
- Team meetings
- The right to protest and petition
- Receiving and giving feedback
Rule of Law
The Rule of Law refers to the need for rules to make a happy, safe and secure environment in which to live and work. Some examples are:
- Legislation
- Agreed ways of working, policies, and procedures
- How the law protects you and others
- Codes of conduct We integrate the Rule of Law as a fundamental British value through various initiatives and policies.
Mutual Respect and Tolerance
This relates to the understanding that we all do not share the same beliefs and values. Respecting the values, ideas and beliefs of others and not attempting to impose our beliefs on them. Some examples are:
- Embracing diversity across the community
- Accepting the importance of religion, traditions, cultural heritage and preferences in creating a diverse culture
- Tackling stereotyping, labelling, prejudice and discrimination
Individual Liberty
Protection of your rights and the rights of others you work with. Some examples are:
- Equality and Human Rights
- Personal Development
- Respect and Dignity
- Rights, choice, consent, and individuality
- Values and principles
Radicalisation, Extremism & Prevent
Extremism is a way of thinking where people hold political or religious views that are vastly different from those of the majority. While people have the individual liberty to think and feel this way, if their views lead them to do and say things that cause harm to others this can lead to social problems and potentially criminal activity.
People can become radicalised in their thinking for a variety of reasons, depending on what they read and see or whom they associate with. It can happen both to individuals and to groups of people. Once radicalised, people want to change society to align with their own (often extreme) religious and/or political beliefs.
If you are worried about yourself or others who may have extreme or radical views that could be harmful, please seek further support. Speak to the Safeguarding Team, you can contact them on 01704 39281, email them on safeguarding@southport.ac.uk or speak with your tutor. You can also visit the government’s website that contains several further links for help including the Act Early website. If you are concerned about criminal radical or terrorist behaviour, please call the police on 999 in an emergency, or 101 if it is not an emergency. Alternatively, you can report hate crimes here or share your concerns here.
The government-led, multi-agency Prevent programme aims to stop individuals becoming terrorists and police play a key role. We work with local authority partners and community organisations to help find solutions and work to support and protect vulnerable individuals. Find out more about the Prevent Programme here.
It is important to be alert, but not alarmed. With a little bit of knowledge, you can increase your safety and know what to do if you see or hear something that does not seem quite right, visit the Counter Terrorism Police Website to find out more information on #BeSafeBeSound.
As well as keeping safe at home, it's important to stay safe on holiday. The chances of being caught up in a terrorist incident are low but sadly we have seen atrocities both here and abroad. It is important everyone stays alert and knows what to do if the worst was to happen. The government can provide you with guidance to support you and advise you when travelling abroad, Reduce your risk from terrorism while abroad - gov.uk/guidance/reduce-your-risk-from-terrorism-while-abroad.
Prevent: An Introduction
Groomers of all kinds prey on feelings of stress and isolation to exploit vulnerable individuals, both online and offline. #Prevent protects individuals targeted by terrorist influences by providing local, multi-agency safeguarding support. This video gives an introduction to how Prevent works on the ground, told by those who have come into contact with the programme.
Careers & Employability
To find out more about the jobs or careers that may be perfect for you, visit our dedicated careers website Pathways and complete the quiz to match your skills and personality to over 400+ job profiles.
You can use Prospects, for information on how to write a CV and covering letter including information on the key transferable skills that all employers look for and how to be successful in interviews. If you are preparing for an interview why not try out our warm up tool.
If you have a great business idea or are dreaming of being your own boss, then self-employment could be for you. To help you, you can learn more about how entrepreneurs generate ideas, the diverse types of business and how to start your own company using these internet resources.
Indeed is a great place to start if you're actively seeking employment, with a section called "Find a career" where you can explore which careers have the highest job satisfaction, best salaries, and top tips on how to find them. You can look for jobs being advertised on Indeed as well as being able to upload your CV so employers can potentially find you!
The National Careers Service also provides careers information, advice, and guidance. Helping you to make decisions on learning, training, and work at all stages in your career. You will be able to complete a skills assessment, explore over 800 career profiles, and discover what a job specification involves. You can speak to an advisor wherever you are with your decisions:
BeMore Is a Liverpool city region resource where you can search for apprenticeships, find out more about sectors that are growing in our region, see how many job vacancies are live in your area and explore upcoming local careers events.
You will find lots of information on the "Careers Hub" of our website including our careers podcasts and webinars.
We run a weekly careers drop in on Tuesday evenings from 4.30-6.30 or you can book in an appointment here.
You can find out more about our careers programme for adults and all of the support on offer here.
Relationships
Throughout your life, the number and strength of your relationships affect your mental and physical wellbeing.
Managing relationships with others can be both rewarding and challenging, but it is these relationships with partners, friends, family, colleagues and others that are a vital part of what makes us human and contributes to our health and wellbeing.
Partner relationships often have the most significant impact so how do we know whether a relationship is healthy or unhealthy, take a look at the NHS webpage which can support you in maintaining healthy relationships and to understand consent and domestic abuse; on the following pages you can find information on the following topics:
The College has a number of support mechanisms to support and signpost you:
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In house Counselling Service | Nikki Vernon, College Counsellor | studentcounsellingse@southport.ac.uk
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Welfare and Safeguarding Officers | 01704 392821 or safeguarding@southport.ac.uk
Regular term time on site support from:
Online Safety
As a parent or carer you play a key role in helping your child or young person to stay safe on line. You dont need to be an expert on the internet to help keep your child stay or young person safe online.
The UK Safer Internet Centre are here to support you support you, below you will find links to sections divided by types of technology:
You can also contact the Welfare and Safeguarding team at the College who can signpost you to other agencies if you cannot find what you need above.
- Tel. 01704 392821
- Email. safeguarding@southport.ac.uk
Wellbeing & Mental Health
Sefton has experienced a difficult few years' post pandemic, there have been challenges around poverty, the tragic incident in Southport and the subsequent civil unrest. This has shone a light on the importance being able to maintain positive mental health has. The NHS Live Well website offers a full range of information and advice about healthy living, including eating a balanced diet, weight, exercise, stopping smoking and consuming less alcohol.
As well as physical wellbeing, you can access information and self-help guides, tools and activities that can improve your mental health on the site. 10 Stress Busters is a list of actions you can take now if you are feeling stressed.
Longer term, evidence suggests that the following the five steps can help keep you feeling mentally well, more positive and able to make the most of life.
If you're a parent, you can find a range of advice and support from the NHS, including tips on how to help your child with exam stress, aggression and how to talk about feelings. Around 1 in 5 children and young people aged 8 – 25 have a probable mental health disorder. If you have concerns around your child’s mental health, you can find a list of our local offer, Thrive Model here. Please note, some of these services are open to young adults.
Feeling exhausted and overly tired is common. Find out more about sleep and tiredness at Live Well and get advice on how to get better sleep, from bedtime routines to reducing screen time.
Learning how to relax takes practice, but it can help release tension in your body, calm your mind and improve your mental wellbeing. In this 30-minute video instructor Beth's soothing words and relaxing moves help you leave the stresses and strains of the day behind and prepare for restful sleep.
Overall depravation in Sefton has increased (2004 – 2019). 38 of the boroughs in Sefton fall within the10% lowest socially deprived in the UK. Financial Health can be particularly challenging to manage at times, the Citizens Advice website has a lot of great resources to help with financial management.
The debt and money section has an array of information on how to manage debt, manage rent, mortgage arrears and other information. Use the Citizens Advice budgeting tool to help you understand what you are earning, spending and where you may be able to cut costs. We have an onsite Foodbank which stocks pantry essentials. To access this please contact our Welfare and Safeguarding Officers using the contact details below or pop into the Student Hub,
The Money Helper website brings together many aspects of information and guidance including increasing rents, covering higher energy costs, or tackling debt, bringing together useful tools, calculators, and guides to help you keep on top of your money.
If you feel like you would like to access some therapeutic support, the College has a number of support mechanisms to support and signpost you:
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In-house Counselling Service | Nikki Vernon, College Counsellor | studentcounsellingse@southport.ac.uk
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Welfare and Safeguarding Officers (Advice and Support) | 01704 392821 or safeguarding@southport.ac.uk
We are proud to have achieved the Mental Health Beacon Award, reaching the national finals in 2024.
If you have concerns around your own or someone else's mental health or wellbeing, you can speak to any member of staff. We are here to help and support you no matter how big or small the problem.
You can find a copy of our Mental Health Policy here, at the back you will find an index of all local services that can support you:
Find out more about our approach to mental health by reading our DfE Blog
We are committed to every student and staff member’s mental health and wellbeing. That’s why we’ve signed up to the Association of Colleges Mental Health and Wellbeing Charter. See the framework here.