Clean Break’s Student Support team is the first point of contact for all women studying on our education programme. You will come into contact with us whilst we are recruiting women onto courses (we visit prisons, probation, bail hostels and drug and alcohol projects) and we also provide personal/educational support for all students.
Before joining our courses, students take part in individual assessments with our Student Support team. Every time you come to Clean Break for meetings or courses, your travel costs are covered, providing you live in London. Once a place is confirmed, the team offers confidential one-to-one appointments to meet with students and discuss any concerns that may affect the learning experience.
Most students attending our courses have many complex needs and require help with issues such as access to children, parenting and personal relationships. Women also need ongoing support with drug and alcohol dependencies. Concerns around violence and personal safety are often raised, generally and individually, as are issues relating to homelessness, sofa surfing and general access to decent, affordable safe housing. Support is regularly provided around mental health anxiety, depression, self-harm and vulnerability. Student Support Services assist frequently with applying for welfare benefits, dealing with delays or withdrawals of benefits and appealing unfavourable decisions. Women also request assistance with the process of communication with probation officers, support workers, legal advisors, the courts, social workers and health workers.
If individual needs cannot be met within the Clean Break team, students are signposted to specialist services. The Student Support team also manages the mental health course, childcare, student events and the student forum services. An outreach worker is available to visit local women’s prisons, police custody suites and a range of community settings to provide information about our services to those groups of women who may benefit from attending a Clean Break course.
